IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 17, 2007 is being remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination and medical opinion regarding his employability.

The Veteran's GERD and antral gastropathy, from February 1, 2009 to March 20, 2017, are rated at a 10 percent evaluation. From March 20, 2017, the rating is increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and a rating of 30 percent for IBS throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent, with no higher ratings considered.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to active service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's IBS is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS, GERD, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. Service connection has also been established for a low back disability and a headache disability (to include as due to 8th nerve damage).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for undiagnosed illness involving multiple symptoms is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, is related to his active military service from November 1990 to June 1991. However, the VA examiner found no evidence of IBS during service and concluded that it does not represent an unusual disability picture warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various gastrointestinal and other conditions are being remanded as the Veteran has not been afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,Specifically, the Veteran was treated for hypertension in service but no current diagnosis or examination is available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his desire for a video conference hearing at the local RO office. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and inflammatory bowel disease (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) continue to meet the criteria for their current disability ratings, but there is a mixed outcome as one condition has been granted an increased rating while the other remains at its maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and interstitial cystitis have been granted service connection as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of testicular trauma, depressive disorder, stomach disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease), posttraumatic stress disorder, arthralgia, and a testicular disorder (other than testicular trauma) to include a benign testicular neoplasm. The Veteran is scheduled for a travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for new VA examinations to evaluate his bilateral SNHL, bilateral foot condition, bilateral knee condition, tension headaches, back condition, and muscle and joint pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS with rectal bleeding is secondary to his service-connected back disability and grants service connection for this condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA records, request a new examination for the Veteran's back disability, and determine if an extra-schedular rating or TDIU is warranted.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have any neurologic abnormalities, including bowel impairment associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Therefore, he is denied a separate rating for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome were not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of direct causation.

The Veteran's digestive disability, characterized by abdominal pain and distension, constipation, diarrhea, fecal leakage, mucus and blood in stools, incomplete evacuation, indigestion, nausea, gas, and bloating, is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome. The Veteran argues that this rating does not adequately compensate for her overall disability picture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's skin disorder, GERD/hiatal hernia, IBS/diverticulitis, sleep apnea, and hypertension are not shown to be related to service or due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.