IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and rib disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s range of motion in his left shoulder did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it was consistent with midway between side and shoulder level. For his right ankle disability, the Board granted a 20 percent rating based on marked limitation in its range of motion. However, for his rib disability, the Veteran's noncompensable evaluation was maintained.

The Veteran's IBS and lumbar spine disability are granted. The IBS is service-connected, while the lumbar spine disability receives a 40% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for urinary frequency has been reopened and granted, with an initial 50% disability rating for PTSD prior to October 16, 2014, and a higher rating thereafter.

Service connection is granted for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine spondylosis, as well as other service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the award of service connection for hemorrhoids is set at November 29, 2015.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent prior to May 9, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for skin disability, vertigo, headache disability, and memory loss due to inadequate medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for myalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of service connection for fatigue, claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, left great big toe injury, and broken ribs, right side disabilities. The Veteran's claims for left and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319, the maximum schedular rating for severe irritable colon syndrome with diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation. The Board finds that this is the most appropriate evaluation for his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to locate missing records from 2002-2006.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is being remanded because of incomplete development and a lack of an adequate opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability claims are being remanded due to the need to locate missing records from 2002-2006 and for inadequate examination opinions.,The Veteran's back disability claim is being remanded because of incomplete development and a lack of an adequate opinion regarding whether his condition was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's ankle disability claim is being remanded due to incomplete development and a lack of an adequate opinion regarding the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is being remanded due to incomplete development and a lack of an adequate opinion regarding the severity of his condition.,The effective date for service connection for fibromyalgia is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected conditions, including hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraines and left knee disability was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the highest possible rating (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for a higher evaluation for tinnitus. The remaining issues (shin splints, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability, IBS, and ruptured right eardrum has been granted. Service connection is established for the lumbar spine disability on a secondary basis to his service-connected right knee disability. The rating assigned for IBS is 30 percent. The appeal regarding the ruptured right eardrum remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including dizziness/somatization disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effects of these disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for atrial fibrillation and hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle sprain, IBS, and GERD are REMANDED.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms are consistent with the criteria for a 30 percent rating and no higher ratings are warranted under any other diagnostic codes or extraschedular considerations.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 10% rating effective August 28, 2015. An initial 30% rating for IBS is granted effective August 28, 2015. The Veteran's MDD and GAD are rated at 70%, effective March 4, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for sleep disorder, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, and stroke as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed the issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for right ankle, right foot disabilities, a loss of vision, and a deviated septum. The claims for service connection for low back disability, IBS, and bilateral arm disability are reopened. The Veteran's rating claims for right shoulder, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness, back condition, heart condition, kidney condition, irritable bowel syndrome, and arthritis have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed conditions.