IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2010

The Veteran's IBS has been manifested by alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress. The Board found that a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS is not warranted.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities and did not grant an earlier effective date.

The case is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, heart disease, ulcer disease, gastrointestinal disorder, and hypertension. The issues of service connection are also pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and further evidence collection. The Veteran's claims of service connection for fibromyalgia with immune system failure and irritable bowel syndrome are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, including IBS and acute gastritis, was denied on the merits. His claims for increased evaluations of bilateral hearing loss and left eye vision loss were also denied. The Veteran's request for TDIU was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for payment of services provided by Florida Hospital Fish Memorial on June 26, 2007 is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's stomach condition, characterized as non-ulcer dyspepsia and/or irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30 percent. The TDIU claim is denied due to the Veteran's ability to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hypertension are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the source of the Veteran's Methadone and Oxycodone usage, as well as whether there was willful misconduct involved in his death. The case is remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected gastric ulcer. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skeletal conditions, including knees, fractured ribs, a scarred lung, hip, and elbow is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records from 1996 to 1997 and medical records from Heidelberg Army Hospital in Germany and Auburn Imaging in California.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome with diverticulitis, status post partial colectomy from November 2, 2006 was denied as his symptoms did not more closely approximate severe irritable colon syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastrointestinal disability are related to his military service. The Gulf War Syndrome claim is denied as it does not constitute a recognized disease entity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection will be decided based on the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of his irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The initial rating for IBS remains in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS with spastic colon was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing a link between her conditions and her time in military service. The Board found that the new evidence submitted since the previous denial did not provide sufficient information to reopen any of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been resolved in his favor, and service connection for asbestosis due to exposure to asbestos, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been established.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all seven issues, including service connection claims and initial compensable ratings.