IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his cataracts, Crohn's disease (alternatively claimed as ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal disease, and irritable bowel), bladder disability, stroke, and follicle center cell lymphoma. The AOJ will also schedule VA examinations for the Veteran to determine the severity of his follicle center cell lymphoma and anemia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder and migraine headaches, have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU from January 15, 2008 to August 31, 2015. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether her service-connected psychiatric disorders prevented her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS were not found to warrant increased ratings prior to August 31, 2011. After that date, the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for his combined condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease have been rated at 30 percent since April 24, 2008. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and determining if additional development is needed. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, including GERD and IBS, secondary to his service-connected pelvic fracture with left sacroiliac joint dysfunction is being remanded for additional development.

For the entire initial rating period from April 9, 2012, the service-connected IBS has more nearly approximated severe symptoms, including alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability other than chronic gastritis, to include IBS, and for degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee. The Veteran is entitled to an SOC regarding his claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for IBS was denied as the earliest date of entitlement is March 8, 2013.,PTSD ratings were denied with a staged rating from September 18, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various orthopedic disabilities, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his active service and these conditions.

The Veteran asserts that he has had symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome since service. The VA examiner must determine if the current diagnosis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for service-connected conjunctivitis has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and address the issues of hypertension, fatigue, headache disorder, and other claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and IBS. The medical opinions provided do not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, IBS, and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis with right maxillary cysts and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including as secondary to medications taken for her service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development and an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, benign hand tremors, and IBS, are found to be of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with cavus foot formation, folliculitis and contact dermatitis, GERD, IBS, CFS, and lumbar degenerative disk disease. Service connection is denied for the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and neck.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and TDIU, but denied an earlier effective date and a compensable rating. The Veteran's combined disability rating was 70% prior to November 17, 2003.