IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service connection claim for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and other GI conditions such as IBS, duodenal ulcer, peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis, is granted. The Board finds that these conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's IBS is related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, and he has a presumptive claim for this condition. The Board also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression) based on evidence that it may be related to fear of hostile military activity during service. Service connection was denied for the gastroesophageal disorder due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at a maximum of 30 percent, which satisfies his appeal for an initial higher disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide the Veteran with proper notice of his scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his lumbar spine disability and stomach disorder.

The Veteran's IBS was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to November 17, 2011 and since then has been rated at 30 percent. The nose fracture residuals have also been granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and IBS are found to be related to service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for a VA examination to determine if he needs aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, and urinary condition/prostatitis will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, with one disability rated at 60 percent (PTSD) and combined rating of 70 percent. The Board finds that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the left leg and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right leg.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears is related to his service. The other issues on appeal are addressed below.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining medical records. The issues of TDIU and service connection for irritable bowel syndrome will be reconsidered in light of the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from engaging in gainful employment prior to May 31, 2007.

The Veteran's IBS with abdominal pain has been granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board finds that the Veteran's left hip, low back, neck, bilateral foot, and bilateral elbow disabilities may be related to his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability, and the claimed conditions are not related to his active service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome with inflammatory bowel disease, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and reopening of a claim for irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for her stomach disabilities and PTSD, as well as to obtain updated treatment records. The Veteran claims service connection for gastritis, hiatal hernia, and irritable bowel syndrome, which she believes are related to her active duty service and/or her service-connected PTSD.