IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is rated at a maximum of 30 percent since the date of grant of service connection, July 6, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claimed gastrointestinal disabilities, including GERD and IBS, are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection rules.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right shoulder scars, bilateral toe scars, or resection of metatarsal heads. His hearing loss was rated appropriately under VA guidelines. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was granted as new and material evidence had been received since the last denial in 2006.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, and hiatal hernia is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as there were no symptoms of pain, vomiting, weight loss, hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities resulting from a December 2008 VA abdominal aortogram, but the claim must be remanded to obtain updated medical records and an examination.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome. The evidence is at least in equipoise and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board concludes that he has a chronic gastrointestinal disability, which qualifies under the presumptive provisions for undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained multisymptom illnesses.

The Veteran's gastritis and IBS symptoms have been rated as 10 percent prior to October 23, 2017, and 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and irritable bowel syndrome have been granted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims, including for a rating increase and service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS has been granted a rating of 70 percent. The other claims have not met the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for right shoulder tendonitis, left shoulder tendonitis, and a muscle sprain of the back have been withdrawn. The Board has denied service connection for gastrointestinal disability to include GERD, Barrett's esophagus, IBS, hiatal hernia, and gastritis.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. Service connection for chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder, IBS, and low back disorder are granted on a presumptive basis due to Gulf War exposure. Other service connection claims remain pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to active duty service and did not qualify as undiagnosed illnesses due to exposure in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's reports of daily loose stools since 1990 were deemed unreliable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of urinary urgency, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 11, 2006. The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), major depressive disorder, hallux valgus of the feet, and irritable bowel syndrome are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings.