IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no current diagnosis of polymyalgia, CFS, or any other claimed conditions. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of service connection and increased evaluations related to hiatal hernia, dental condition, hypertension, heart murmur, low back injury, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral pes planus, left knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease, and right knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's weight gain and loss are not service-connected, as they are likely due to medications for PTSD and a sedentary lifestyle. IBS and GERD were not shown in service and are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including colon polyps, diverticulosis coli, and irritable bowel syndrome. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's IBS is currently evaluated as 10% disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable provisions of the rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury, fractured left forearm, facial bones fractures, and fractured ribs as secondary to the appellant's service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic irritable bowel syndrome was not incurred in or related to service, and denied her claim.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and IBS. The Veteran's PTSD is not linked to a verified in-service stressor, while her IBS claim was not addressed as it pertained to an issue already decided.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for increased evaluations.

The Veteran's IBS was granted a rating of 30 percent effective June 21, 2006. Prior to that date, the Veteran had been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS and diverticulosis was filed on May 7, 1999. The Board finds that this date is the earliest effective date as it aligns with his description of symptoms and medical records indicating these conditions existed prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU/DEA were denied as the earliest date of entitlement was March 1, 2002 when VA issued a new regulation expanding presumptive service connection for fibromyalgia, major depressive disorder (secondary to fibromyalgia), and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's claimed conditions, including anxiety disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and stomach problems, hypothyroidism, and low B-12 level, all of which were determined to be not related to his in-service exposure to missile fuel.

The Veteran's IBS has been manifested by diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress. The Board finds that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's GERD is not shown to be productive of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia. Therefore, the claim for a higher evaluation than 30 percent for GERD has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current stomach disorder is related to service or service-connected Bell's palsy.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and assigned an initial 30 percent rating, effective July 13, 1996. The claim for service connection for patellar tendinitis of the left knee was denied.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD. The Veteran's service treatment records show in-service complaints of various gastrointestinal symptoms, but no definitive diagnosis or treatment for GERD.