IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and residuals of fractures of the ribs. The Veteran's current right shoulder disability is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, but there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or reported symptoms related to eczema of the hands.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and diverticulitis have been granted as the evidence shows that these conditions were first diagnosed during her active duty service, with no clear and unmistakable evidence showing they did not pre-exist service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10% for IBS was granted, and the maximum available rating under the applicable code (DC 7319) is now 30%. The decision also notes that there are no exceptional circumstances warranting extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran developed chronic IBS during service and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to her service. Therefore, service connection for IBS is granted.

The Veteran's appeals of the denials of service connection for hypertension and hyperlipidemia have been withdrawn. The Board finds that there is no current evidence to support a finding of service connection for any of the remaining conditions listed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's current hearing loss is considered a disability, but there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or other causation related to his military service. For the stomach condition, the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized arthralgia (joint pain) and chronic diarrhea (IBS), finding that these conditions are more likely than not due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has referred the Veteran's claim to VA's Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation for IBS under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(1). The Director of Compensation issued an Advisory Opinion stating that an extraschedular evaluation of irritable bowel syndrome under provision of 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(1) was not warranted.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's death was attributed to multiple organ failure due to coronary artery disease, with contributory factors including cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD with IBS and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD, as there was no material weight loss or significant symptoms such as hematemesis, melena, or severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted service connection, and his IBS was granted an increased rating to 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed chronic abdominal disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pleurisy and right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found no current disability of pleurisy, but determined that the Veteran had a current disability of right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a visual disorder was denied, while his initial rating claim for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was granted with a 30% disability rating effective April 14, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran experienced severe symptoms including both diarrhea and constipation.

The Veteran's tension headaches were found to have originated during service and granted service connection. The Veteran's IBS was also found to be related to service, but the current level of severity did not warrant a higher initial disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neck injury, heat exposure, thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, skin condition, tinnitus, PTSD, gastrointestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, and sleep disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total abdominal hysterectomy with right oophorectomy and status post cholecystectomy and sigmoid colectomy, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as she did not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to her service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence of unemployability prior to December 2, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's irritable bowel disease (IBS) is not causally related to his service or to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, service connection for IBS was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected dysthymic disorder, spina bifida occulta with discogenic low back pain and lumbosacral strain, and irritable bowel syndrome. The TDIU claim was also denied.