IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2008

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, D.C. due to ambiguity surrounding the origin of the veteran's current conditions.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, an immune disorder, fibromyalgia, mold allergies, and chronic sinusitis as there was no evidence to link these conditions to the veteran's military service or any incidents therein.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated as 60 percent disabling, and his PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling. The veteran is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted a 30 percent rating, as the evidence shows moderate to severe constipation and abdominal pain that are constant in nature.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), described as colitis, and hemorrhoids based on the evidence showing that these conditions were incurred during active duty for training.

The VA determined that the veteran's diagnosed IBS and gastritis are not related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects in VCAA notice and additional development is required.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was granted an initial increased evaluation to 30 percent effective January 11, 2006. His acne vulgaris remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for gastroenteritis/IBS and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the medical evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The veteran's mixed headaches and IBS are being remanded for further evaluation to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The veteran's combined disability rating was at least 60% since January 1995, qualifying him for retroactive payment of benefits for a dependent spouse. The RO's decision in April 2002 did not finalize the determination to pay the veteran as a single person with no dependents.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, personal relations, and mood. The veteran's IBS is 'severe' and interferes with employment.

The veteran's gastrointestinal disability, diagnosed as peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, residuals status post cholecystectomy, and hiatal hernia, is rated at 30 percent prior to October 18, 2004. From that date, a rating of 30 percent has been granted for the gastrointestinal disability. The veteran's abdominal and surgical scars are also rated at 30 percent since March 19, 2007.

The veteran's lumbar spondylolisthesis and lumbosacral scar are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The appeal has been granted.

The veteran's skin disorder of the feet, gastrointestinal disorders (dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to service or secondary to service-connected PTSD. The veteran was granted a 50% evaluation for his PTSD.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, fatigue, and eye disorder are presumed to have been incurred during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Sinusitis is not considered a qualifying chronic disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess service connection claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis status post surgery, prostate surgery residuals, and a low back condition. The evidence did not show any link between these conditions and military service or exposure to radiation.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of internal derangement of the left knee, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and sinusitis/rhinosinusitis were denied. The current ratings are 10% each.