IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and clarifying whether he desires an informal conference on all issues.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was rated at 30 percent from September 12, 2005 to August 20, 2008. From August 21, 2008 to July 20, 2010, the rating was 0 percent (non-compensable). Since July 21, 2010, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a punctured lung, finding that there was no evidence to support his claim and concluding that his shortness of breath did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to some aspect of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his IBS is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as she withdrew her appeal for the issues of cysts of the uterus and ovaries, with subsequent hysterectomy and cholecystectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent since November 21, 2006. Effective March 29, 2013, the Veteran is also granted a separate 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as an additional manifestation of his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an increased rating for left chondromalacia patella are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of the evidence.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent effective February 28, 2011. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,PTSD has been granted a 50 percent disability rating effective December 17, 2012. The Veteran previously had a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease, IBS, and an anxiety disorder characterized by insomnia. The evidence did not show a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's GERD with steatosis of the liver and IBS have been rated, but the current ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and irritable bowel syndrome were denied as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with associated GERD and IBS is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS are found to be secondary to his service-connected GAD, and he is granted an increased rating for GAD.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease is rated at 10 percent, and her plantar fasciitis and patellofemoral pain syndromes are noncompensably rated. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for separated 3rd and 4th ribs was denied as there is no evidence of the claimed condition during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulcers are related to his service, as evidenced by documented peptic ulcer disease in service and post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.,For his skin disorder, an extraschedular rating of 60 percent from January 13, 2006 to March 19, 2008 was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, singly or in combination, do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment.