IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for gastrointestinal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome and hiatal hernia is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at a noncompensable rating since the date of his claim, and was subsequently increased to a 10 percent rating effective June 26, 2010.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge from service is not a bar to VA benefits, and therefore grants his appeal seeking to establish this point.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic rectal cancer, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the cancer or its causes to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and IBS have been granted service connection, with a combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GI problems, including IBS and GERD, are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with dysthymia.

The Veteran's medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness of IBS, including undiagnosed illness, has been granted service connection due to the continuity of symptoms since active duty in the Southwest Asia theater.

The Board found that the Veteran's IBS, hemorrhoids/polyps, and right ankle disability are related to his active service. The bilateral pes planus was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, right foot disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritis of the left hand and left index finger, back disorder, hemorrhoids, and vertigo as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring compliance with the requested action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability diagnosed as GERD with IBS is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board denied service connection for dyspepsia and IBS, peptic ulcer, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 10%.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including memory loss, irritable bowel syndrome, hematuria, chronic joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a skin disability. However, the Board did not grant these claims as they were all secondary to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions, as well as increased ratings for fibromyalgia and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, specifically irritable bowel syndrome, has been granted. The effective date is not specified in the decision.

The Board found no current diagnoses of sinusitis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome, is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claims for GERD and IBS are also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to service, including her hysterectomy and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also determined that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a current disability for headaches or bruxism. For muscle spasms of bilateral shoulders, the underlying preexisting condition did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.