IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for a sleep disorder and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's sleep problems are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the issue of residuals of colonoscopy with polyp removal. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted for any of the other issues raised, as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from his second period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) is also granted as it is related to service.

The Veteran's digestive disorder claims, including IBS, diverticulitis, and colon polyps, are being remanded for additional development. Her TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for IBS and an increased rating for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, including sciatica of the left leg and right leg. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 31, 2001. Her hiatal hernia with GERD and IBS is currently rated as 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected gastrectomy with vagotomy, irritable bowel syndrome, and anemia was granted. He is currently rated at 60 percent for these conditions. A separate 30 percent rating was assigned for fecal leakage associated with the gastrectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and sinusitis are related to his active service. The other conditions remain unresolved.

The Veteran and the appellant were legally separated for the entire period on appeal prior to August [redacted], 2009, when their divorce became final. The Veteran has been in receipt of service-connected disability ratings for his low back disorder, left knee disorder, irritable bowel syndrome with hiatal hernia, right knee disorder, and left wrist disorder. The appellant was not entitled to an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits due to her reasonable discharge of support responsibilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his low back, left knee, right knee, and irritable bowel syndrome disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered a qualifying chronic disability under the provisions of the Persian Gulf War presumption, and service connection for IBS with weight loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and any pertinent VA or private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his claims due to outdated VA examination records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracic spine disability was denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support an increase in his disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of broken ribs and neurological condition of the left upper extremity, finding no current disability or in-service injury. The claim for increased rating for compression fracture of T9 was not addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his active service and denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected IBS with diverticulosis, finding that beginning on September 30, 2008, the disability picture more closely approximated severe symptoms.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, as his disabilities were rated at 90% combined and he did not meet the duration requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck pain, back disability, bilateral hammertoes, alopecia, TMJ syndrome, small bowel obstruction, IBS, and pelvic adhesions are all related to service.