IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Board found that new evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities were denied. The right biceps tendon, left ankle Brostrom procedure, GERD and IBS, status post cholecystectomy, and status post total vaginal hysterectomy all remain rated at their current levels.,A compensable rating was also denied for the Veteran's left ankle scar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was denied as her condition is not etiologically related to any in-service incurrence. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to July 8, 2014 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities causing unemployability.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for irritable bowel syndrome remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability other than chronic gastritis, to include IBS, finding that there is no evidence linking his current symptoms of IBS to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension is dismissed. Service connection for IBS, heart disorder, and thyroid disorder as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder (MDD) is granted effective June 12, 2009. A TDIU is also granted effective September 2, 2009.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 30, 2017 due to service-connected low back disability for further consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and has remanded the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a headache disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran must undergo further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports are inadequate for adjudicative purposes regarding the claim for entitlement to service connection for IBS. The Veteran's IBS is remanded and an additional VA medical opinion must be obtained.

The Veteran's initial rating for IBS is denied, and his service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD are remanded. His TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted. The claim of revision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for the denial of IBS in January 1993 was denied, as well as the request for an earlier effective date for service connection.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was reopened due to new evidence received after June 2003. The effective date for this grant is December 20, 2010.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, IBS, and GERD are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and new theories of entitlement raised at his hearing. The issues regarding hypertension and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound rate are also remanded.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness characterized as fibromyalgia is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5025. No separate ratings are warranted for irritable bowel syndrome or headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete employment records from the VA Medical Center and City of Bridgeport, which could affect the rating for IBS and the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for IBS, but denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of IBS that is secondarily related to his service-connected GERD.

Service connection for OSA is denied. An increased rating of 10 percent for GERD with IBS is granted, subject to laws and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits. A compensable rating for left little finger fracture is denied. Prior to May 20, 2014, a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. Since May 20, 2014, a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. An increased rating of 20 percent for neurological manifestations of right lower extremity secondary to lumbar spine disability is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for neurological manifestations of left lower extremity secondary to lumbar spine disability is granted, subject to laws and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (including IBS), secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions, and the Veteran should be provided with a letter about personal assault claims.