IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2005

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist, CTS of the left wrist, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by joint pain, fatigue, irritable bowel and chest pain is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The veteran's cervical strain, mild central spinal stenosis with small central protrusion at C3-4 and disc bulge at C4-5 and C5-6 is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The veteran's GERD and IBS are each rated as 10 percent disabling. His degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine does not warrant a higher rating, and his bilateral hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 5, 2004 for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The appellant's irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia are found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome does not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code, as it is manifested by diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation without malnutrition, impairment of anal sphincter control, or an exceptional disability picture. The current 30 percent evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome remains unchanged.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left ankle, stomach, and low back disabilities. The examiner found no current diagnoses or etiology that supported these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current stomach disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis and colon polyps, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches are related to his military service. The claims for myopia, residuals of salmonella poisoning, and hemorrhoids have been remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, a gastrointestinal disorder, was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claimed gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, is not service connected due to lack of evidence and the absence of a current disability. The other conditions are also denied as there is no evidence of chloracne or lymphadenopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities. The veteran was not diagnosed with a current gastrointestinal disability, and the evidence did not support an award of service connection based on undiagnosed illness or Gulf War syndrome. For the knees, the Board found that the criteria for a 10% rating were met.

The Board has granted service connection for polyarthralgia, myalgia, and headaches as due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection is not warranted for chronic fatigue, dizziness, or a rash.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for IBS/GERD and service connection for hypertension and PVD secondary to PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of severe disability or aggravation.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The VA found no evidence of chronic residuals from a ganglion cyst on the left wrist, crush injury to the right middle finger, or skin disorder in service. Hypertension was not shown to have been present in service and is not presumed by law. Bilateral defective hearing was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of gastroenteritis or a link between the veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder and service. As such, the claim for service connection for gastroenteritis is denied.

The veteran's second degree burn scars from the right upper extremity and right chest are rated at a combined 20 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that ratings in excess of a separate 10 percent rating for the right shoulder and upper extremity and for the right chest (for a combined 20 percent rating) are not warranted under either the old or new rating criteria.,The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and reflux were not incurred in service, nor is it proximately due to his service-connected second degree burn scars. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome with reflux related to service.

The veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated as noncompensable, and the RO has granted her increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), interstitial cystitis, and a gynecological condition (claimed as ovarian cysts).