IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2007

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's IBS is presumed to have been incurred in service and he is granted a 10 percent rating for this condition. The veteran's bilateral pes planus with Morton's neuroma is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum allowed under VA regulations. His right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a separate rating evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome and an effective date prior to March 1, 2002 for service connection. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the irritable bowel syndrome to service or any applicable presumptive basis due to the change in law in March 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for right hand, left hand, and left knee disabilities are denied. The veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH) was denied because he did not meet the criteria of 'good health,' as defined by VA, due to his nonservice-connected arthritis of the hips and other disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the service connection claims for various disorders, including right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, right foot numbness, low back pain, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including sending notice of the VCAA and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for fibromyalgia, a compensable rating for IBS, and a rating for maxillary sinusitis are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizoid personality disorder, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and major depression and insomnia. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a relationship between these conditions and military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for weight problems, tendonitis of the left shoulder, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's IBS does not warrant a compensable initial rating, as his symptoms are described as mild disturbances of bowel function with occasional episodes of abdominal distress.

The veteran's bilateral knee disability was not service-connected. The RO granted a 30 percent rating for his psychogenic gastrointestinal reaction/IBS as of January 20, 2000 and increased the PTSD ratings from December 4, 1996 onwards.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for increased dependency and indemnity compensation at the housebound rate due to her disabilities that substantially confine her to her home.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a video conference hearing at the Louisville RO. The issues of service connection for painful joints and muscles, PTSD with memory loss and nervousness, and hypertension remain pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, but the specific evaluations and effective dates are not specified.,Some issues remain pending as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's blood clot and IBS disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The veteran's PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for subcutaneous scar tissue or inclusion cyst on the ventral aspect of the penis, claimed as residuals of a circumcision is granted. The veteran also has an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and denied an earlier effective date for hearing loss in the left ear. The veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are service-connected, while paralumbar myositis is not. Joint pain, generalized arthralgia, and shortness of breath are not service-connected. The GI disorder (irritable bowel syndrome) is also not service-connected.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of increased evaluation for depressive reaction, service connection for salmonella enteritis, postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome as secondary to salmonella enteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease as secondary to salmonella enteritis.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids, a swollen right testicle, and denied service connection for gout, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a chronic respiratory condition. The remaining issues of service connection have been withdrawn or are not addressed in the decision.