IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a fracture to the right foot and denied service connection for residuals of fractures to the ribs, as well as service connection for right and left knee disorders.

The veteran seeks service connection for skeletal conditions, including left knee, fractured ribs, and a scarred lung. The Board has requested additional service treatment records from the veteran's period of service in 1996 to 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcer disease and lung disease, finding that there was no direct or secondary relationship to his military service.

The VA has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, effective from December 12, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and missing Social Security Administration records.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have an underlying disease process of the chest or sternum area due to any inservice rib fractures to the 4th, 5th, and 6th ribs. Therefore, service connection for residuals of rib fractures of the 4th, 5th, and 6th ribs is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep disorder, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and GERD are not at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. As a result, these claims for secondary service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for IBS and GERD, finding no evidence to support these conditions as related to his active duty service. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examination reports and outpatient treatment records. The veteran's initial evaluations for irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids are being reviewed.

The Board has granted initial evaluations of 10 percent for the veteran's cervical strain, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic abdominal strain, and irritable bowel syndrome from March 5, 2005 to September 14, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for her gastro-duodenitis and irritable bowel syndrome with antral ulcer, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, status post Nissen fundoplication, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a chronic psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and his gastrointestinal symptoms are not related to service or undiagnosed illness. The claim is denied.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30 percent, the highest possible rating under the applicable criteria. His liver condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board and RO have denied reopening claims for service connection for visual problems, low back disability, heart disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and disability of the feet due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an ear disability and increased ratings for GERD, IBS, right shoulder, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current chronic ear disorder or significant impairment from GERD and IBS.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder, including IBS and GERD with Barrett's esophagus. The evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions based on lack of evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinus disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and right elbow disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for IBS is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7319, and therefore denied an initial compensable rating.