IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia with GERD, status-post gallbladder removal and IBS, as well as bilateral plantar fasciitis, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the right arm and hand (major) based on moderate incomplete paralysis. The claim of service connection for fibromyalgia with immune system failure is reopened due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's service connection claims for irritable bowel syndrome, anemia, and a great toe disorder (exostosis) have been granted. The veteran also has service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left heel spur with plantar fasciitis, gastrointestinal reflux disease, and hemorrhoids. His right ear hearing loss is rated as compensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 10 percent, and finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's service-connected IBS is manifested by disturbances of bowel function with occasional episodes of abdominal distress. The VA examiner noted a September 2003 episode of diarrhea lasting three weeks during military service and the last reported episode was in October 2004, after separation from service. There are no current episodes of explosive diarrhea or constipation as described by the veteran's representative.

The veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, and joint pain and body aches have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support these claims on any basis.,Specifically, there is no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss or GERD, and the veteran's IBS, fatigue, and joint pain and body aches are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability, bowel incontinence, and bladder incontinence are not related to his active service or any incident therein. The erectile dysfunction was also not connected to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD with secondary major depression was granted a higher initial evaluation of 50 percent effective November 7, 2005. Service connection for an eye condition is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no current diagnosis or treatment records for an irritable bowel syndrome.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome claim was denied, while his post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for IBS with stomach removal due to hookworm infestation and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim to reopen the prostatitis claim was not granted, as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The maximum schedular rating for schizoaffective disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia has been assigned.

The Board finds that the veteran's bowel disability, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during service or within one year after service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as her claim for TDIU based on these conditions, were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board found that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, aggravated by service-connected post traumatic stress disorder, did not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for IBS as secondary to PTSD was denied because the earliest date of entitlement is February 8, 2002, which is when his reopened claim was received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea, finding that there is no current disability associated with events in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to use assistive devices.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and other physical conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that she is entitled to a TDIU.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome was denied. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the condition, and there is no basis for assigning a higher evaluation under any other potentially applicable diagnostic codes.