IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lower gastrointestinal disorder, claimed as IBS and diverticulosis, is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic irritable bowel syndrome is causally related to his service-connected psychiatric disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including re-rating of his service-connected GERD and IBS under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.114.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC, for purposes of accrued benefits, was denied as the evidence did not support an assignment of an SMC rate in excess of the M-rate.

The Veteran's GERD with lower esophageal web or ring and irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 7346 for duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for tricuspid regurgitation, removal of gallbladder, genitourinary disorder, and right hip disorder will be addressed in separate decisions.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded as additional development is needed to determine if service connection can be granted. The claim for lumbar spine disability remains inapplicable due to lack of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent and increased to 50 percent effective February 20, 2009.,Since November 5, 2007, the Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) cannot be earlier than April 27, 2006 as the June 1993 rating decision denying service connection was not appealed and thus is final. The motion to revise or reverse the June 1993 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased initial ratings for fibromyalgia with headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of new and material evidence to reopen his claims, and the maximum schedular ratings available for his right knee disability have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronicity or aggravation during service, and the preexisting hypertension was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IBS with lactose intolerance and adjustment disorder with depressed mood are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.,Claims for earlier effective dates for the 30 percent ratings assigned for IBS with lactose intolerance and adjustment disorder with depressed mood are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated septum and epistaxis, and reopened the claims of service connection for a skin rash and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for IBS, flat feet, diverticulitis, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple gastrointestinal and pulmonary disabilities that he claims are secondary to his service-connected GERD. The Board is unable to determine the appropriate disposition of these issues due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a gynecological disorder (claimed as female problems and miscarriage), and loss of nasal hair. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all remaining issues on appeal, including reopening of service connection for a duodenal ulcer and service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's current stomach disorders and their relationship to service.