IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's prostate disability, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and PTSD may be related to service or service-connected conditions. Further examination is needed to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome did not meet the criteria for service connection, as it was not shown to be related to his military service or any undiagnosed illness. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including esophagitis, sigmoid diverticulosis, and possible irritable bowel syndrome, is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including Crohn's disease and IBS. The issue of entitlement to service connection for gastrointestinal disorder other than IBS and Crohn's disease is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with non-ulcer dyspepsia is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and migraine headaches have been granted service connection. Other claims of service connection for various disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show entitlement to higher ratings within a year of the date of claim.,An effective date earlier than June 15, 2007 was denied for the 20 percent rating for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia due to lack of medical records in the year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a VA examination and obtain additional treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran is entitled to an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for his service-connected IBS, effective May 6, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of any of the requested evaluations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus was denied. For IBS and hiatal hernia with GERD, the Veteran received a single 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7319-7346.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease/hiatal hernia, diverticulosis/diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome, were not shown to have had their onset in service or within one year of service. The VA examiner opined that the conditions are less likely than not incurred in or caused by active service.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319. The abdominal hernia and scars are not entitled to increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, a skin disorder, and a GI disorder other than GERD or IBS have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a rash on the arms and legs, stomach disorder (including gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome), and PTSD have all been denied. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting an extraschedular evaluation, and therefore denies a claim for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at a 30 percent disability rating since June 25, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-operative residuals of right elbow calcification and hemorrhoids, status post hemorrhoidectomy. The TDIU claim was also denied as it pertained to a period prior to May 4, 2006.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU and eligibility for DEA benefits, both effective March 18, 2007.