IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected IBS is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from March 1, 2007. The other claims for increased ratings remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD with IBS warrants a 30 percent rating throughout the appeal period, but no higher.

The Veteran's stomach disability, including GERD and IBS, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or as a result of his military service. The Board found no evidence to support the presumption of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for anxiety disorder and Hepatitis B with IBS were denied. The current disability ratings of 30 percent are maintained.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS has been granted based on a current diagnosis and presumed exposure to the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Her PTSD disability rating is maintained at 50% since September 23, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, a skin disorder, headaches, neuropsychological symptoms (muscle twitches), cardiovascular disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory disorders (claimed as mesothelioma), and GERD. The decision also addressed an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia and IBS are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 18, 2010 at ABMC were denied as the treatment was not for an emergent condition and did not meet the prudent layperson standard.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and GERD were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic intestinal or esophageal disabilities during service, nor any relationship to service.,VA examinations did not find current diagnoses of IBS or GERD, and the examiner noted that there was no indication of a nexus to service for any other gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids are being remanded for additional development to address the onset of these conditions in service, their relationship to her service-connected urinary frequency disability, and whether they have been caused or aggravated by each other.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claims prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's stomach condition is likely aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. His PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms, but not the severe impairment required for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus and IBS symptoms have worsened since December 7, 2009, warranting a 30 percent disability rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 25, 2008. He is granted a TDIU based solely on his PTSD and also qualifies for SMC at the housebound rate effective December 25, 2008.

The Veteran was awarded SMC at the R-1 rate for purposes of accrued benefits due to his need for regular aid and attendance, as well as loss of use of both hands from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's focal colitis associated with irritable bowel syndrome, ileocecal polypoid colitis, nonspecific proctocolitis and early diverticulosis, hiatal hernia, and gall bladder dysfunction has been rated at 30 percent since April 1, 2005 to November 16, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant due to her overall disability picture and lack of impairment in locomotion.

The Board found that the Veteran likely has peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities that is attributable to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which was granted.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was rated at 60 percent prior to August 6, 2012. From that date forward, he is rated at 40 percent for his DDD and separately at 20 percent each for neurological manifestations in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS did not cause his ventral hernia, and he is not otherwise in receipt of service connection for recurrent ventral hernias. The Board finds that the etiology of this claimed disability is too complex a medical question to be answered by a layperson.