IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment for the period from November 21, 2006 to August 16, 2008.

For the period from November 22, 2006 to September 29, 2009, the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's current low back disorder is not etiologically related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, vision disability, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) as not being related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease from January 1, 2007, to September 21, 2008. The effective date of this rating is January 14, 2009.,The Veteran was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for rhinosinusitis status post rhinoplasty from January 1, 2007, to February 11, 2014. The effective date of this rating is February 12, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome. The Board found that his current conditions are not related to service, and he was assigned a 10% rating for his irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety with depression, arthralgias of all joints, gastritis, GERD, and elevated liver enzymes due to fatty liver are found to be proximately due to the service-connected fibromyalgia. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is presumed to have been incurred in service, and her right foot heel spur is presumed to be related to service. The claim for a right foot disorder other than hallux valgus remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7319.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is service-connected, and he receives a 50% rating for his migraine headaches. The hearing loss and GERD issues are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, left knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome is denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding service connection for a right wrist injury.,The Veteran's IBS with esophagitis is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects severe symptoms. A higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7319 is not warranted as there are no other symptom combinations productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected postoperative residual scars related to excision of chondroma of the bilateral 12th ribs. The case will be returned to the Board after any additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the change in 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 17, 2013. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Crohn's disease and IBS, as secondary to his service-connected GERD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, claimed as a residual of intestinal parasites, is not service-connected. The VA examiner found no evidence linking GERD to the ascaris infection in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection. However, the claim for an increased rating for his low back disability prior to March 6, 2009 has been denied.