IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying his periods of active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's multiple joint aches and pains, primary constipation (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome), and fatigue were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The diagnoses are attributed to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence obtained after certification of the appeal, and the Veteran did not waive RO consideration. The claims for service connection are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) will be addressed.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than April 18, 2007 for the grant of service connection for IBS is not warranted. For Raynaud's phenomenon, a 10 percent rating is granted as of April 18, 2007.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the current assessments do not adequately address the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA psychiatric examination report and incomplete opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation. Service connection for hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea are also on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is associated with his gastrointestinal disability (GERD, hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome). Service connection for these conditions is sought as secondary to the Veteran's PTSD. The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis are denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea is also on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is associated with his gastrointestinal disability (GERD, hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome). Service connection for these conditions is sought as secondary to the Veteran's PTSD. The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis are denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea is also on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and low back disability are related to service, with the exception of her low back disability which is not directly linked. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was found to have its clinical onset in service, while her low back disability did not have its clinical onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is currently before the Board on issues of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability and service connection for adhesions (claimed as scar tissue) secondary to bowel resection surgeries. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records review, and clarification of the effects of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Board previously denied service connection for IBS, and the Court remanded the case. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, celiac sprue, irritable bowel syndrome with polyps, allergic rhinitis, and osteoporosis, did not have onset during a period of active service or were not caused by an injury or disease incurred in service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disorder, characterized as irritable bowel syndrome and non-ulcer dyspepsia, has been manifested by no more than moderate symptoms with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for the Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and Crohn's disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have persisted since 1993 and are related to his military service. The diagnosis of Crohn's disease is considered new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with gastrointestinal symptoms has been rated at 30 percent since March 19, 2007. From August 13, 2008, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities (allergies, generalized anxiety disorder, hypertension, major depression, IBS, and chronic sleep disability) are not causally related to or aggravated by her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his period of service in Southwest Asia. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran.