IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, a condition of the ribs, and hemorrhoids as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The veteran's IBS has been rated at 10 percent since its initial grant, and the Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and finds that there is no competent or probative evidence linking any of these conditions to his military service, including alleged receipt of an anthrax vaccine. As such, the veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a neck and spinal cord injury, as well as for irritable bowel syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 10, 1994 for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board found that the veteran's treatment at SLMMC on October 7, 2002 was not for a condition of such severity that it required immediate medical attention. VA facilities were deemed feasible and available to provide the necessary care.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and a sleep disorder (dyssomnia) as these conditions are either due to undiagnosed illness or related to the veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also granted increased ratings for major depression, IBS, and prostatitis.

The veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease and a compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. His irritable bowel syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to appellate review, including proper VCAA notice and VA examinations for hypertension, IBS, and a dental disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for keratoconus, a low back disability, and irritable bowel syndrome (presumed to be due to Gulf War service). The veteran's depression is not found to be related to any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to his reported injuries in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability due to broken ribs or right wrist injury, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's PTSD and IBS were initially awarded with initial disability ratings of 10 percent, which were subsequently increased to 50 percent for PTSD and 30 percent for IBS effective October 7, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, metastatic colon cancer, is not related to his service-connected conditions or pre-existing conditions. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and left ankle/heel disability. The veteran's current symptoms are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection, but the current evidence does not establish a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable criteria. The other disabilities are not entitled to increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and mood swings and memory loss due to incomplete development of the record.