IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for dental disability, and denied all other claims for increase.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and GERD, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bronchitis related to her service. The claims for increased ratings for left wrist degenerative joint disease, cubital syndrome of the left wrist, and gastritis and GERD with IBS are denied as there is no evidence of current disability or aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within a year of her separation from active duty. The Board found that asthma, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral ankle arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome are secondary to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and IBS did not have onset in service or are otherwise related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 90%, but the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective from April 17, 1996 to November 8, 2010 for PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral thumb dislocations are not considered service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to active service. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for lung condition, cracked ribs with arthritis, bilateral foot condition and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with IBS and GERD on an extraschedular basis, finding that the schedular criteria adequately described his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and functional gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) are service-connected as they have been present since active duty, with a continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for more current evaluations of the Veteran's PTSD and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, as well as obtaining any outstanding VA or private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition. As such, the claims are denied.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from August 13, 1992.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an abdominal disorder claimed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for service connection for breast cancer and its residuals, including a left arm disorder, secondary to breast cancer, is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for breast cancer as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for further examination by an oncologist. The claim for service connection for a left arm disorder claimed as pain, numbness and tightness, to include as secondary to breast cancer, is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left arm disorder claimed as pain, numbness and tightness, to include as secondary to breast cancer, is being remanded due to the need for further examination by an oncologist.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD status post nissen fundoplication with symptoms of IBS is currently rated at 60 percent, effective December 5, 2011. The rating reflects the severity and symptomatology of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction, are not shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including fractured ribs, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and hypertension. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature of these conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's asthma and prostatitis and BPH are found to be related to his active duty service. The other claimed disabilities are not addressed in the decision.

The Board denied service connection for IBS and sexual dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions were not competent evidence. The April 2012 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's IBS and sexual dysfunction are not causally related to his service-connected PTSD.