IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Veteran's discharge from service was due to her service-connected IBS, meeting the criteria for basic eligibility for VA home loan benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The gastrointestinal and psychiatric disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for tricuspid regurgitation, higher initial rating for left knee degenerative joint disease, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome prior to the hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of IBS, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a lower gastrointestinal disorder, an upper gastrointestinal disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for Crohn’s disease is granted. Service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, is also granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia as secondary to PTSD, and chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to PTSD. The claim for gastric disorder (IBS and GERD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal in its entirety.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and squamous cell carcinoma of the left tongue due to incomplete information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent, and she is granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities. The decision also notes that the Veteran's symptoms are not refractory to therapy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is related to herbicide agent exposure. The VA needs to obtain more medical opinions on this issue.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied bilateral hand disability was not granted as new and material evidence has not been received.,Moderate left carpal tunnel syndrome and mild ulnar neuropathy at the wrist and elbow were not service-connected, as they did not have their onset during active service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and spastic colon, but denied his claims for obesity as secondary to PTSD and fibrosis of the liver (fatty liver) as secondary to a service-connected disability. The issues have been remanded for further development.

Service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and heart disease has been granted.,Service connection for a left leg disorder, right leg disorder, arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and arthritis of the cervical spine have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including for service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran will need updated VA examinations and verification of his Reserve duty periods.

An initial disability rating of 10 percent for IBS was granted prior to June 26, 2017. An initial disability rating of 50 percent for an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression was granted from July 10, 2017.,From July 10, 2017 onwards, a higher disability rating for the adjustment disorder could not be granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for McArdle’s disease and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The VA examination is needed to address the specific requirements necessary for a higher rating for McArdle’s disease, including symptoms such as sleep disturbances, paresthesias, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud's like symptoms.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and asthma, but has remanded the issues of service connection for GERD, IBS, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 15, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined disability rating of 80 percent due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as these conditions are considered to have started during the Veteran's military service.