IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's GI problems, including IBS and possible esophageal reflux, were incurred in active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent assigned since January 18, 2001.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including removal of ribs and residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and chest. The current ratings remain at 40 percent for removal of ribs and 30 percent for residuals of the gunshot wound.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and irritable bowel syndrome, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for GERD is granted, and the issues of kidney stones, IBS, hypertension, and familial tremor are remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is more likely than not related to his active military service and grants service connection for IBS.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for broken ribs, a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and a compensable rating for cervical paraspinal muscle strain due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation, finding that the veteran's current gastrointestinal disability is not attributable to her active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of the veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been rated at 10 percent since its initial grant. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating, as her IBS is characterized as moderate with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, tension headaches, and fatigue were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a clear diagnosis of PTSD based on a link between in-service stressors and current symptomatology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety disorder with panic attacks, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome are related to his service, with the psychiatric disorder being granted as a result of in-service events. The IBS is also found to be secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hepatitis C were found to be service-connected, but the initial evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The hepatitis C claim was granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed conditions and denied all claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and for consideration under all applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD and denied the claim for a higher initial evaluation for IBS.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of Crohn's disease/IBS and a higher rating for his duodenitis. The appeal is dismissed as to these issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, disciform maculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the hands, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The claim for irritable bowel syndrome was also denied as it is not due to or proximately caused by his service-connected PTSD.