IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome are service-connected, with each condition meeting the criteria for a 10% disability rating within the applicable presumptive time period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome) is remanded for further examination.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to verify the appellant's service dates and determine if his conditions are related to active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, headaches, bilateral shoulder disorders, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total and permanent impairment, warranting a 100% rating effective from the date of his claim on November 15, 2004.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current gastrointestinal disability, including irritable bowel syndrome, related to service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's psychological disability is characterized by flattened affect, frequent panic attacks, disturbances of motivation and mood, and moderate to severe occupational and social impairment. The Veteran is entitled to a 50 percent evaluation for his psychological disability.

The Board denied service connection for IBS and residuals of viral gastritis and diarrhea, finding no evidence of a chronic gastrointestinal disorder or an undiagnosed illness due to service in the Southwest Asia theater.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting new examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a rating in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Board is increasing the ratings for migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome to the highest possible schedular levels, but remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a left knee disability due to new evidence.

The Board found insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from IBS or if it was incurred in service, thus denying her claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2004. The fibromyalgia rating remains at 40 percent. The left and right foot plantar fasciitis ratings are both 10 percent. The cholecystectomy residuals remain at 0 percent. The IBS is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis was found to have its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection. The Board did not find evidence of a qualifying chronic disability for IBS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome under the presumptive provisions, as these conditions are not considered undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained multisymptom illnesses related to service in the Southwest Asia theater.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is inadequate for a fully informed decision and has ordered a new VA examination to determine the severity of the service-connected irritable bowel syndrome/colitis.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that an extraschedular rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are all denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions and noted that the Veteran did not provide credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's asthma is service connected, but his digestive problems are not. The Board found that the current digestive issues are unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis of this condition is a qualifying chronic disability under Persian Gulf Veterans' Act. Service connection was denied for a headache disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.