IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-5; status post surgery to the abdominal wound; hypertension; and right rib fractures.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss of the left ear, venous insufficiency of the left leg, stomach disability (irritable bowel syndrome and gastro-esophageal reflux disease), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a nervous condition (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and a sleeping disorder).,The VA found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The VA denied service connection for left ankle disability and irritable bowel syndrome, finding no current disabilities related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran is entitled to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Silliman University Medical Center from September 13, 1998, to September 16, 1998. The other issues were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The veteran's dumping syndrome with IBS, pancreatitis, GERD, and hiatal hernia is manifested by circulatory symptoms after meals with frequent bouts of diarrhea. The VA has granted a 40 percent rating for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for VA compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate were denied due to lack of additional disability caused by VA treatment in January 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than September 9, 2002 for service-connected asthma. The claims of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and depression are remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claim for an effective date before April 18, 2003, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is denied as there was no pending claim or informal claim before that date.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for anomalous articulation of the left first and second ribs with left TOS. The Board also found that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The veteran's service-connected schistosomiasis ancylostomiasis is currently characterized by mild to no symptoms, and the VA examiner found that his irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) more likely than not was due to a psychiatric disorder rather than his service-connected condition. The claim for increased rating for schistosomiasis ancylostomiasis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining verification of the veteran's periods of Naval Reserve service and obtaining medical records. The VA will also provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has determined that the veteran's IBS is service-connected, with a rating of 10 percent. The issue regarding memory problems remains pending.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim for joint pain due to undiagnosed illness and for an increased rating for IBS. The decision is final as it was based on a prior denial of the same claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for IBS/GERD or cervical spine disability, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, or pes planus.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a deviated nasal septum and denied service connection for this condition. The other claims were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for GERD, effective from the date of grant of service connection. The veteran's IBS is not found to be related to his medications taken for service-connected foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a prostate condition, VA outpatient dental treatment, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for asbestosis is pending due to an incomplete record of in-service asbestos exposure.