IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, sleep disorder (due to PTSD), skin disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and acid reflux disease. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cholecystolithiases, pellagra, irritable bowel syndrome, and malaria have been denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is set at November 14, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, renal insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision also denied the reopening of a claim for a psychiatric condition other than PTSD.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals of fractures to the left 4th and 5th ribs, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and sarcoidosis were denied. The VA examinations conducted in March 2000 and December 2005 supported these decisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sleep apnea, GERD and IBS are not related to service on a direct or secondary basis. Therefore, his claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and joint pain as due to undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claims for fatigue, migraine headaches, muscle pain, a neurological disorder, and a sleep disorder are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. Additional medical records will be obtained, and the veteran will be given another opportunity to undergo these examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or a link to military service. The claim for PTSD is remanded.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for neuritis, chest and back pain was denied. The claim for a 30 percent rating for chronic bronchitis with history of tuberculosis infection with disease, inactive, was granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for duodenal ulcer was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, pancreatitis, and a digestive disorder (Crohn's disease, IBS, and/or colon problems) as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his right knee conditions and a TDIU was denied. His service-connected conditions include arthritis, multiple arthroscopy surgeries, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, prostatitis, hemorrhoids, chondromalacia patella, and traumatic arthritis of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded. The RO must arrange for a comprehensive examination and obtain treatment records from the veteran's health care providers. If another physical examination is required, the RO must notify the veteran of his responsibility to report for the examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral high frequency hearing loss but denied an initial compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and VA examinations.

The Board finds that service connection for immune system difficulties, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is not warranted. The veteran does not have a current disability related to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his dermatitis herpetiformis and irritable bowel syndrome, as both conditions are not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran did not contract or develop gastritis in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, but determined that the effective dates should be set at February 12, 2001.

The veteran's claims for service connection are granted for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, bloody stools and bowel incontinence, headaches, agitation, forgetfulness, borderline violence, major depression and dysthymic disorder, loss of bladder control, itching, hives, rash, duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), partial complex seizures, blackouts, photophobia and lightheadedness, shrinkage in height from 71 inches to 67 1/2 inches, and lumbar spine disorder with instability of the legs. These conditions are presumed due to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.