IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a VA examination to address the claim for service connection for low back disorder as secondary to service-connected perirectal abscesses.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding several rating and effective date claims, including for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, left thoracic outlet syndrome, removal of middle and anterior scalene muscles, status post resection cervical and first thoracic ribs, residual scar, and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, multiple joint pain, tinnitus, and IBS, render him unemployable. The Board finds that his TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU benefits based on the evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The issue remains about entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his service and denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder and IBS.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his National Guard service dates.

The Veteran seeks service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, which he claims is related to his military service. The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary before the issue can be decided.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of service-connected disabilities for the entire period on appeal prior to May 4, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied, but he received a grant for his left foot injury. The claims of service connection for neck disability, left eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss were not addressed as they are not service-connected. Service connection was granted for ED secondary to PTSD and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and irritable bowel secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries, including those to his left clavicle, ribs, spleen, and brain, are related to service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference, and further development is needed before the case can be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to have caused or materially contributed to the cause of his death from disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, septicemia, and febrile neutropenia resulting from acute myeloid leukemia. The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and non-service connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the August 2006 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in denying service connection for a right shoulder disability, as the evidence showed arthritis of the right shoulder within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective dates for benefits were not established.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection were not substantiated by the evidence of record. The Board found that there was no direct or secondary service connection for any claimed conditions.

The Board has requested additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is proximately caused by or aggravated by her service-connected migraine headaches. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.