IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability prior to July 29, 2016 and found service connection for gastrointestinal disability (IBS) was warranted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current IBS and hemorrhoids are not related to his service, including as due to an appendectomy in service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to in-service noise exposure. The right knee disability is also service-connected as it was caused by a service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of resection of left ribs was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that more than two ribs were removed or that resection of his ribs was performed in connection with thoracoplasty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, CFS, IBS, and sleep apnea are granted. The lumbar spine disability is also granted as in-service. No rating assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence, including a September 2017 VA examination report addressing his GERD and IBS symptoms. The RO must consider this evidence in its decision.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection claims due to procedural issues, as well as denied his claim of a reduction in PTSD rating. The appeal was not addressed further.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to consider the evidence of record, including etiology opinions provided by Dr. Trice in March and July 2016.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected dizziness is rated at 30 percent prior to July 17, 2013. The Veteran's IBS is rated as noncompensable under DC 8873-7319. Service connection for PTSD with depression and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was granted with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities, finding that they were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a nexus between his IBS and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are now being considered on their merits.,Service connection has been granted for left knee disability, right knee disability, chronic vaginitis, chronic UTI, GERD, IBS, hemorrhoids, thyroid condition, and sciatica.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records not being obtained. The Veteran is advised to provide information about any relevant treatment received from outside VA.

The Veteran's rib pain and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to the in-service injury or exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD was initially denied, but later increased to 100 percent effective April 6, 2015. The earlier effective date claim is still pending and will determine whether the TDIU claim should be granted prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, migraines, and IBS has been granted. The Board found that the evidence established continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.,New and material evidence was also received to reopen the claim for service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20% since June 16, 2016. Prior to that date, they were rated as non-compensable.,The Veteran's IBS has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30%, which is the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome.