IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2014

The Veteran's fibromyalgia with headaches is rated at 40 percent since August 10, 2006.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rated at 30 percent since August 10, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and the need to consider the Veteran's participation in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

The Veteran's request for home improvement and structural alterations (HISA) benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1717 for bathroom access modifications is denied because the proposed improvements are not medically necessary to treat his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefit records and reserve service treatment records.

The Veteran's IBS was previously rated at 10 percent prior to February 18, 2009. Effective from that date, the Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for his IBS.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory issues and gastrointestinal problems. The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to appear at a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since August 26, 1996.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his gastrointestinal disability, including gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and factual development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, was granted. The effective date of the grant is set at February 13, 2008, which is also when he filed his claim to reopen. For irritable bowel syndrome, an earlier effective date is denied as it falls within the period in which the Veteran could have appealed the January 2003 denial.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for IBS and GERD were denied.,Her claim to reopen her skin rash service connection was granted, but she did not provide sufficient evidence to establish the underlying claim.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as a presumptive disability due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. His GERD, acid reflux or hiatal hernia claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral arm numbness, back disability, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The claim for right shoulder disability was not reopened due to the dishonorable discharge during his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for IBS with GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities were denied. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings.,The VA examinations conducted did not show evidence of a service connection theory other than direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia, low back disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated 30 percent for hiatal hernia with paraesophageal hernias and irritable bowel syndrome, a separate 30 percent rating for esophageal stricture, and no more than 20 percent for the service-connected low back disorder since July 11, 2011. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and his irritable bowel syndrome was initially rated at 10 percent prior to October 14, 2006. Effective January 28, 2011, the rating for irritable bowel syndrome has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have resulted in a rating of 90 percent, which is the highest possible under current regulations. The Board has determined that this rating is correct and no higher rating can be granted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and ensuring all relevant VA records are associated with the claims file. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.