IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of the appendectomy was granted, and service connection for hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The veteran's current pain is related to residual adhesions from the appendectomy.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy of the left hand during or after service, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current PTSD symptoms and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for service-connected residuals of fractured left fifth and sixth ribs, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for the residuals of injuries to the back, ribs, and right knee due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for left thumb disability, tuberculosis, and IBS were granted with a compensable evaluation for IBS. The claim for headaches is addressed in the Remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's IBS had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability and residuals of fractured ribs are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected cerebral concussion.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise and grants service connection for IBS, finding it likely to have had its onset during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chondrosarcoma of the left rib cage, with surgical removal of parts of the eighth and ninth ribs, as well as his claim for a scar as a residual of rib surgery. The evidence submitted since the last denial did not provide new and material evidence to support reopening these claims.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, a skin condition, and hand stiffness. The veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors or related conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a gastrointestinal disorder or lethargy, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's symptoms are first documented in post-service records.

The veteran's IBS has been rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim. Her breast reduction surgical scars have been rated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 30, 2002 and are now rated in excess of 10 percent since that date.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a skin rash on the back, groin, thighs and chest or irritable bowel syndrome. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue are all found to be due to undiagnosed illnesses or other diseases incurred in service. The right knee disability is not shown to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and the veteran does not meet criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent, and his IBS is currently rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher initial evaluation for both conditions.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's lactose intolerance/irritable bowel syndrome, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and duodenal ulcer with pylorospasm and irritable bowel syndrome are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria. The Board has determined that these conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, thus denying his claims for increased ratings. Additionally, the evidence does not support an award of TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal problems and fatigue as due to an undiagnosed illness or on a direct basis, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to service.