IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service exposure to acoustic trauma and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his acquired psychiatric condition and hemorrhoids are dismissed. The Veteran is granted service connection for IBS, secondary to a service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, and for rectal sphincter impairment, secondary to service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's IBS/ulcerative colitis status post proctocolectomy and ileostomy, as well as his PTSD with MDD, need further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal of increased ratings and service connection claims was dismissed without prejudice as the TDIU claim has been granted, which satisfied his entire appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his left knee disabilities and service-connected IBS. The tinnitus claim has been denied as there is no legal basis for a schedular rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for IBS as secondary to major depressive disorder and granted a 50% rating for post-traumatic vascular headaches, finding the Veteran's headaches were productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's initial rating for GERD and IBS was denied, with a denial of an earlier effective date for the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral leg cramps and pain, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sinus disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), menstrual disorder, headaches, sleep disorder, and memory loss. The reasons include a lack of nexus opinions due to missing VA examinations and conflicting evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial compensable rating for IBS, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after service discharge. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

PTSD was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis.,IBS was granted as it is considered a qualifying chronic disability for Persian Gulf Veterans and has manifested to a compensable degree.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for esophageal dysmotility, GERD, IBS, and hiatal hernia due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee OSD and arthritis, DM (diabetes mellitus), sleep apnea, high blood pressure/HTN, left hand contusion residuals, frostbite of the right foot, frostbite of the left foot, neuropathy of the feet, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and chronic headaches. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.,The decision also noted that some conditions may be related to pre-existing conditions or other factors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin muscle injury was denied in the past, but new evidence has reopened this claim.,Service connection is granted for headaches. The Veteran reported head injuries sustained during boxing and football while serving.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for his shoulder conditions and irritable bowel syndrome. The remand requires additional VA medical opinions on whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at a maximum of 30 percent prior to February 10, 2016. The RO increased his rating for PTSD from 50% to 70%. The Board finds that the Veteran should be scheduled for an examination and remanded on all issues due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for IBS and Diverticulosis, both secondary to PTSD. The claim for a sleep disorder was not reopened.,New evidence has been submitted that supports reopening the claim of service connection for a sleep disorder, but it remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as secondary to her service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder. Her total hysterectomy remains at a 30% rating, with no change in the effective date.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied as the new evidence received does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness for pre-existing disorders.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome may have worsened since her last VA examination in December 2014. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition and requested any relevant VA treatment records.