IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claim for gastrointestinal disability, originally claimed as a disability manifested by chronic diarrhea, is granted. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports a finding that his current IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is related to in-service clinical findings of viral gastroenteritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of his most recent VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a disability manifested by allergies, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition. The only definitive diagnosis was of dermatitis/hyperpigmentation in 1995, which resolved three years prior to the filing of her claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, or bilateral pes planus. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability in these conditions at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, H. pylori gastritis, and sarcoidosis based on the Veteran's service as a Persian Gulf Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for depression with anxiety and panic attacks, sinus disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and restless leg syndrome. The Veteran's statements regarding his experiences in service have been considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing to address all four issues, including the increased rating for IBS with recurrent colon polyps and service connection for digestive disability (other than IBS), claimed as peptic ulcer disease.

The Veteran's claims for Meniere's disease, hypertension, heart disease, and IBS were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of a left ear scar with crusting.

The Veteran's IBS was diagnosed during service or shortly thereafter, and meets the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a). The Board grants service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD to include IBS.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent. The issues related to PTSD and psychiatric disorders have been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and for service connection for various undiagnosed illness-related conditions. The issues of new and material evidence were also addressed, but no new or additional evidence was provided to reopen the low back disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, an increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD, hiatal hernia, IBS and gastritis, did not have their onset in service or are caused by his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome. The VA examinations do not support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his incarceration and failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for mood disorder with depressive features was granted, and an initial compensable rating for IBS with gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from active military service.,Service connection for IBS is not granted, as the Veteran did not serve in a qualifying Persian Gulf War theater and there is no evidence linking her current condition to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of a direct link to his military service or service-connected diabetes.

The Board granted service connection for a mental disorder manifested by anxiety and depression, as well as service connection for a chronic multisymptom illness with headaches, IBS, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and lack of energy related to the Veteran's Persian Gulf War service. Service connection was denied for blindness and cardiovascular disorders.