IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2014

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective July 20, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his anxiety disorder or any of the other conditions listed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran is now service connected for a mood disorder, but not for chloracne, psoriasis, IBS, hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, or residuals of frostbite.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current gastrointestinal disorder related to service, and the VA examiner opined that the Veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated at 30 percent, effective prior to April 3, 2013. After this date, the highest schedular rating available for his condition has been assigned.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition is found to be secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder. His current rating for these conditions remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent since June 17, 2006. The appeal for a higher initial rating prior to March 18, 2009 was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was not present in service and is not related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS, which is secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been granted. The Board found that the PTSD proximately caused the IBS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, including symptoms due to an undiagnosed illness, was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the condition is not related to his military service.,Service connection for right-sided deviated nasal septum with external nasal deformity was granted but the Veteran appealed the compensable rating. The claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and GERD have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for his sleep disorder secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is likely related to his period of active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain pending as they have not yet been addressed by an SOC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and issues with correspondence addresses.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome are found to be due to her service-connected fibromyalgia, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA gastrointestinal examination to determine if any gastrointestinal disorder other than IBS had its onset in or is otherwise medically-related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for the duodenal ulcer effective September 7, 1994. The Veteran's current gastrointestinal symptoms are considered to be due to his service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's IBS and GERD have been rated at 30 percent since December 20, 2007. The symptoms of heartburn, constipation, bloating, and abdominal cramping do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is caused or aggravated by her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.