IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his National Guard service dating after April 2006 and updated VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been rated at the maximum 30 percent under DC 7319, and his GERD is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that both conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's IBS was rated at 10 percent prior to March 30, 2009. From that date, the rating was increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper and lower gastrointestinal disorders, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, and unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (including IBS), including as due to an undiagnosed illness, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or any link between the Veteran's military service and his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a new claim of service connection for dementia secondary to PTSD, depressive reaction with psychosomatic features including tension headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. The original issue remains about special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, diagnosed as GERD and IBS, are proximately due to or the result of her service-connected PTSD. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's IBS, hypertension, and sleep apnea are presumed to have been incurred as a result of his service in the Persian Gulf War. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, with consideration of his level of education and previous work experience, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that Agent Orange exposure, in and of itself, is not a disability subject to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees are denied as there is no evidence showing limitation of extension to 15 degrees or limitation of flexion to 30 degrees prior to July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness to include as due to Gulf War syndrome is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's IBS and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection.,He is also entitled to service connection for a neurological condition related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 50 percent rating for PTSD with anxiety/adjustment disorder since August 23, 1989. He seeks an increased initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature of his gastrointestinal disorder and hypertension, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS have been granted service connection as they are aggravated by his treatment for a service-connected disability (prostate cancer).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA disability determination records. The gastroenterologist will provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and liver damage are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS did not originate in service and is not otherwise related to active service, was not manifest within one year of discharge, and is not proximate due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for IBS secondary to pain medication used for other service-connected disabilities has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and blurred vision as due to an undiagnosed illness were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during his service or at any time thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and inpatient hospitalization records from Vietnam. An additional VA examination will also be conducted to address the gastrointestinal disorder.