IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, specifically gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD is directly related to his in-service symptoms and recurrent since service. The Board also found that it was at least as likely as not that the GERD began during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verifying his duty status and obtaining private medical records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection. The status of his GERD and Sleep Apnea claims is pending further development.,VA needs to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his GERD and Sleep Apnea are related to active duty or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee pains, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and related conditions are granted. Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been rated at 30 percent since February 5, 2013. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his disability picture does not rise to considerable health impairment.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities including an anxiety disorder and interstitial cystitis, resulting in a combined rating of 80%. He meets the minimum schedular criteria for a TDIU.

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.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the submitted evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records, arranging for new examinations, and considering whether staged ratings are appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left arm numbness and fractured collarbone and ribs are not service-connected as they did not occur during his active duty service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence showing a direct relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to April 5, 2012, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for migraine headaches (previously characterized as headaches due to undiagnosed illness) were denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability was also denied. Service connection claims for bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities were not addressed since they are not about service connection at all.

The Board found no service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, IBS, or joint and muscle pain due to lack of a showing of chronic disease during service. The claim for joint and muscle pain was denied as there were conflicting opinions regarding whether fibromyalgia should be diagnosed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability, nor does he meet criteria for a higher evaluation for his irritable bowel syndrome prior to August 22, 2013.

The Veteran's IBS is found to be related to her service and the Board grants service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected colitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an even higher 60 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7323, as he does not have malnutrition or generally poor health.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current dental disability or right ribs disability for which service connection can be granted. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's IBS is characterized by alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal pain, warranting a 30 percent rating.,While the Veteran has reported occasional rectal bleeding due to hemorrhoids, there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or secondary anemia. Therefore, his service-connected hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and IBS have been granted service connection as presumptively related to his military service in the Gulf War. The sleep disorder is considered a symptom of his service-connected PTSD.