IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2016

The Veteran's GERD with IBS has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and PTSD, claiming these conditions are secondary to a right knee disability. The Board is dismissing the appeal as there is no longer an issue to decide.

The medications the Veteran took for his service-connected disabilities, including pain medication and PTSD treatment, caused his death from small bowel obstruction.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred during active duty service. The claim for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as the Veteran did not report for a scheduled VA examination, and the claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of diagnosis.

The Veteran's endometriosis has been manifested by symptoms of lesions involving bowel and bladder confirmed by laparoscopy, pelvic pain, and irregular bleeding not controlled by treatment. The Board finds that the symptomatology is more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7629.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's cause of death is being evaluated to determine if it was related to his military service.

The Veteran's DDD and DJD of the thoracic and lumbar spine were rated at 10 percent prior to April 17, 2015 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that these ratings adequately capture his disability picture.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a functional gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, joint pain with numbness of the left shoulder and neck, and folliculitis were granted as they are presumed to be due to her service in the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and therefore grants service connection for IBS on this basis.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS has been manifested by alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea with abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and reflux. The Board finds that the symptoms are more consistent with a severe disability warranting a 30 percent rating under DC 7319.

The Veteran's sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been found to be service-connected.,Right hip disability is also service-connected as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active duty. The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Board has determined that service connection for a recurrent gastrointestinal disorder, including diverticulosis, gastroenteritis, and IBS is not warranted as the Veteran's in-service gastrointestinal complaints were not manifestations of his currently diagnosed recurrent diverticulosis.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome has resulted in severe alternating diarrhea and constipation, which is the primary basis for her current rating. The Board finds that her hemorrhoids are secondary to her service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for residuals of bilateral photo refractive keratectomy, right wrist disability (IBS), and a disability manifested by incoordination, excessive sweating, feeling faint, feeling weak, joint pain, low energy, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. These conditions are presumed to be due to Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claimed conditions or their relationship to service.

For the entire initial rating period, the Veteran's IBS has been productive of severe symptoms including alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress. The Board finds that a disability rating of 30 percent is warranted under Diagnostic Code 7319 for the entire initial rating period from January 20, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling an RO hearing. The issues on appeal include ratings for various conditions and disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction has been granted. His right hand disability claim is now reopened, but the evidence received since the September 1968 rating decision does not meet the criteria to reopen the claim of service connection for this condition. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a bilateral foot disability have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of any current disabilities or continuity of symptoms related to the Veteran's military service.,The medical records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for hemorrhoids, GERD, IBS, or a bilateral foot disability during or within one year after the Veteran's separation from active duty. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his service.