IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and a need for additional development of the medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a higher rate of DIC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her service-connected disability, as she did not meet the criteria for A&A or housebound benefits.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to February 22, 2013 due to her service-connected disabilities of irritable bowel syndrome, major depressive disorder, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, reflecting very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and colitis, was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current GI conditions to his military service or any exposure therein. For migraine headaches, the Veteran received a maximum 50 percent rating since February 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable, as she was able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a teacher's aide.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder is not etiologically related to his service, including any exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome have rendered her unemployable since October 26, 2010. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the whole body, were denied as there is no credible evidence supporting his assertions of in-service exposure to herbicides or captivity as a prisoner of war. The Veteran's statements are found to be unreliable due to inconsistencies with other evidence of record and facial implausibility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) did not pre-exist his service and was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination to assess the etiology of her skin disability, IBS, mouth sores, and back disability. The Veteran also needs an examination to determine the severity of her service-connected blepharitis of the right eye.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether any gastrointestinal disorders are related to active service or due to VA treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether the Veteran has a psychiatric disorder that began during or was caused by his military service, and if so, whether it is secondary to other conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether any gastrointestinal disorders are related to active service or due to VA treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine the nature and etiology of his dermatological or allergic disorder.,The Veteran's claim for compensation based on 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded to obtain clarification regarding whether his chronic pancreatitis was due to negligence from VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted, with a rating of 50% effective from February 27, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and the most probative evidence is against a finding that his GERD is related to active service or a service-connected condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder was denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including those seeking service connection for various conditions and disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to further consider these matters.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including PTSD and its related conditions. The Board has determined that a hearing is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was granted with an effective date of March 1, 2002. The diagnosis of IBS was found to be presumptively caused by service in the Gulf War theater.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, and IBS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (IBS and associated mood disorder) do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to their combined effect on his ability to work.