IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2005

The Board finds that gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome are likely related to the veteran's honorable active service, warranting service connection.

The veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, esophageal reflux disease, and chronic gastritis are currently rated at 30 percent. The veteran's tension headaches are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss, heart condition (claimed as a murmur), GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome were not incurred or aggravated by service. The vision impairment is considered to be a refractive error.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and GERD, finding that the veteran's current GI disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's current conditions and her military service.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome as these conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux disease, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The effective date for a 50% disability evaluation for headaches as a manifestation of anxiety neurosis was set at March 20, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is denied as the RO did not provide a decision on service connection for a back disability, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection was granted for headaches due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the veteran for a VA examination to assess his current service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for digestive symptoms and hypothyroidism, attributing these to diagnosed conditions that were not related to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current residuals of fractured left ribs and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The veteran's neurodermatitis was granted a 60% rating effective January 17, 2003. The initial rating for irritable bowel syndrome remains at 30%.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for peptic ulcer disease at a hearing before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that the veteran's IBS is causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and will conduct further development.

The veteran's initial ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and major depression with panic attacks were denied by the Board. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome and 30 percent for major depression with panic attacks.

The veteran's claims for service connection for irritable throat and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted, but the veteran's other claims remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and treatment records from Sutter Hospital. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current stomach disorders to his active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to or caused his death.