IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected residual scars, status-post appendectomy with adhesions are currently manifested by two scars. The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 10 percent for these scars.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had their onset in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a stomach disability. The Veteran's statements, along with private treatment records, suggest the possibility of gastrointestinal disorders dating back to his time in service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of throbbing shoulder pain, bilateral wrist disorder, and a disability rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected abdominal hysterectomy due to endometriosis have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal concerning these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and denied service connection for paresthesias of the left upper extremity. The remaining claims are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's IBS has been granted a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent since the effective date of service connection. Service connection for sleep apnea was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD/IBS is manifested by recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, diarrhea, constipation, and lower abdominal pain. The Board finds that a higher initial rating of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are found to be related to service, with IBS being secondary to an in-service parasite infestation or PTSD. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of PTSD. The remaining claims were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed bilateral eye disability, COPD, chronic gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have recognized POW status, and his claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disorder and irritable bowel syndrome have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders and their relationship to service, including his panic disorder.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia and other health issues, all claimed as secondary to chemical and/or biological exposure during active duty. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the unclear nature of the classified agent exposure.

The Veteran's CFS and IBS have been rated as 10 percent disabling, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Bilateral hearing loss has also been rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as due to an undiagnosed illness, and his low back disability is denied.