IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2010

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent rating effective May 6, 2009.,Fatigue, headaches, and nausea were not found to be related to the Veteran's service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations for PTSD. The issues were not about service connection at all, so no effective date was assigned.

The Veteran's low back disability, including a post-operative scar, is service-connected. His scar near the upper lip is also service-connected. Since November 28, 2004, his irritable bowel syndrome has been rated at 30 percent. The RO must readjudicate the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability in light of these findings.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS are rated at 10 percent prior to November 8, 2007. Effective November 8, 2007, the Veteran is granted a combined rating for both conditions at 30 percent. The case is remanded due to issues with effective date determination and consideration of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to it.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a scheduling issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and tinnitus, but denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board finds the medical evidence of record is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are manifested by the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet. As a result, the claim for certification of eligibility for automotive and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Veteran's initial disability evaluations for diabetes mellitus type I and irritable bowel syndrome were denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the assigned ratings.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD and IBS, which she claims are related to her PTSD. The case has been remanded due to a hearing issue.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, IBS, and cervical spine disorder have been denied as the evidence does not support higher evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (residuals of a low back injury, bilateral pes planus, irritable bowel with constipation, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia) preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, a nervous disorder, headaches, a sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to undiagnosed illness were denied. The Board notes that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of bilateral inguinal hernia, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's service-connected idiopathic hypersomnolence is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847 for persistent day-time hypersomnolence.,The Veteran's service-connected IBS warrants a 10 percent disability rating based on moderate symptoms with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for irritable bowel syndrome and a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain have been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is November 26, 1997.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a personal hearing. The Board cannot decide the appeal until she has been afforded this opportunity.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's IBS.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, including diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is not service connected and there is no compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.