IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further information about when the injuries occurred.

The veteran's service-connected headaches, fibromyalgia, and IBS have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome causes moderate symptoms, including frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress. The preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than September 22, 1998 for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of irritable bowel syndrome, hypoglycemia, or diabetes mellitus and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of his burn scars and the etiology of his irritable bowel syndrome and reflux.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for ulcers, and thus denied her claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a video conference hearing at the RO in St. Louis.

The veteran's initial evaluations for bronchial asthma and irritable bowel syndrome were granted, with a 30 percent evaluation assigned for each condition effective May 2, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran timely filed a substantive appeal regarding the March 2003 rating decision, which granted a 10 percent rating for peptic ulcer disease and denied service connection for several other conditions. The issues of reopening previously denied claims and seeking an earlier effective date remain with the RO.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it did not have jurisdiction to review a March 1953 rating decision that was subsumed by a June 24, 1954, Board decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied each of the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome due to incomplete VCAA notice, further medical development is needed, and a supplemental statement of the case must be provided.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including upper gastrointestinal bulb disorder, chronic prostatitis, bladder injury residuals, flat feet, hypertension, rupture and strain of the left testicle, muscle strain and cartilage injury of the stomach, heart and chest, hiatal hernia, left leg and groin disability (including varicose veins), and broken ribs.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding no evidence of a relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability, thus denying her claim.

The Board is considering whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the October 1988 rating decision denying service connection for gastroenteritis/IBS, as well as whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim. The case will be remanded to provide proper VCAA notice.