IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's MRSA infection is not service-connected as it was a pre-existing condition and did not develop during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including IBS and anxiety disorder. The RO granted service connection for IBS but denied all other claims. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of IBS and determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's osteochondritis of the left rib cage is rated as a noncompensable disability due to subjective complaints of pain without functional loss or other abnormality.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and idiopathic hypersomnia syndrome as presumptively due to the Veteran's active duty service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's skin condition with irritation and breakdown is etiologically related to her service-connected neurogenic bladder dysfunction, which was granted. The claim for IBS with constipation due to pain control medication for service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue, sinusitis with blurred vision, and irritable bowel syndrome have all been granted increased ratings.,PTSD remains at the current 50 percent rating.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and esophageal disabilities are likely related to his active service, specifically during periods of Reserve duty. However, no specific diagnosis was provided for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of IBS is a result of his service in the Persian Gulf War. The other issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, irritable bowel syndrome, a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and PTSD are denied. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed IBS had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities and vocational background have not prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 12, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disorder is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the March 1999 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in failing to award SMC at R1 level based on aid and attendance, which was established due to the Veteran's service-connected TBI requiring regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, including ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the receipt of a request for withdrawal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his service, including service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux disease, sleep apnea, and obesity as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's low back disorder is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. Service connection for asthma and diabetes mellitus are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain updated medical records and for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected GERD with IBS.