IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2017

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and from January 4, 2011 to January 30, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for neck disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and tinnitus requires additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD with mild depression has been rated at 70 percent since February 3, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU from November 1, 2014.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify whether the Veteran has Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and, if so, whether it is related to her service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War Era.

The Veteran's private medical care was not authorized by VA in advance and does not meet the statutory requirements for reimbursement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and IBS are due to his active service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for acid reflux, right shoulder disability including arthritis, and chest injury. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and verifying exposure to Agent Orange. A VA examination is also required.

The Veteran's disability ratings were reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent for lumbosacral paravertebral myositis, effective June 1, 2011. The reduction was found to be proper as there had been no actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claims were denied across multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for existing disabilities. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, joint pain, muscle cramps, and a skin disability is granted. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome, memory loss, and bilateral hand disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's IBS was rated at 30 percent effective June 13, 2016.

The Veteran's IBS was not incurred during service and is not otherwise related to his service. The Board found the Veteran's current contentions regarding experiencing cramping and constipation during active duty service from January to May 1991 to be less credible than the contemporaneous records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition for IBS or residuals of a left foot injury, and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of entitlement to this higher rating based on the severity of his IBS symptoms.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus and irritable bowel syndrome (to include as secondary to PTSD), but not for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, skin cancer, or degenerative joint disease of the left knee or right knee. The Veteran's hypertension was also found not to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded due to incomplete information regarding the Appellant's hospitalizations and her ability to leave her home. The AOJ must request this additional evidence and re-adjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of having Irritable Bowel Syndrome and denied service connection for this condition. The issue regarding a scar above his left eye was also addressed, but as the examination did not provide sufficient information on the etiology of the scar, it remains pending.

The Veteran's IBS with ulcerative colitis has not been manifested by numerous attacks a year and malnutrition, with health only fair during remissions. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent are not met.

The Veteran's death was caused by diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, which the Board finds is service-connected due to exposure to silica fibers in service. The claims for accrued benefits based on pending claims for service connection for various conditions are also granted.