IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2007

The veteran seeks service connection for joint pain, fatigue, irritable bowel and chest pain due to undiagnosed illness. The Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining medical records from his civilian job and a VA examination.

The veteran was granted a TDIU and DEA benefits effective March 18, 2000. The RO assigned an effective date of January 13, 2000 for the grant of these benefits.

The veteran's GERD with IBS and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood are currently rated at 30 percent each, effective September 2003. The appeal is granted for both conditions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of moderate incomplete paralysis.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking symptoms to service.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for VA compensation benefits in lieu of military retirement pay was denied as the earliest legal basis is February 3, 2004.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for hiatal hernia.

The Board found that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran is contesting the reduction of her disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective August 1, 2004. The case has been remanded due to issues with the veteran's current mailing address.

The Board has reopened the previously denied service connection claims for cervical spine disability, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disability with lower extremity paresthesia, dizziness and vertigo, fatigue, fever, cardiovascular disorder (heart racing), cold sores, and night sweats. The claims are granted as presumptively related to Gulf War service exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral central serous retinopathy and other conditions, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome, cholecystectomy, hiatal hernia, and appendectomy do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's eye disorder is denied. The RO granted service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, including irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux, diverticulitis, and lactose intolerance. A 60 percent rating was assigned effective June 18, 2003. No higher initial ratings were granted for tinnitus or temporomandibular disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and shortness of breath have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diverticulitis, and IBS. The veteran's schizophrenia was found to be unrelated to his current symptoms of PTSD or IBS. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal condition, which is now secondary to the veteran's service-connected thyroid condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The VA examiner found the veteran had some impairment in short term memory and concentration, but not meeting criteria for a higher rating for PTSD. Service connection was denied for chronic sinus disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sleep disorder, chronic skin disorder (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), and bilateral knee/arm disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome warrants a 10 percent disability rating since August 12, 1997.

The Board denied service connection for gastroenteritis/IBS, PTSD, and cervical dysplasia. The veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as there was no ascertainable increase in disability prior to March 10, 2003.,The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for hidradenitis suppurativa/genital herpes was remanded due to the need for additional development.