IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their permanence.

The Veteran's GERD and sleep apnea are found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board has granted a 100% rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder since July 20, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, GERD, and a right knee disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current diagnoses or chronic conditions related to these issues.,There are no medical records indicating the presence of any of these conditions during service, and post-service records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish their onset in service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are associated with voiding dysfunction requiring changing of absorbent pads five times daily, warranting a rating higher than 40 percent.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma. The evidence suggests that it may be related to hepatitis B.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of fractured ribs and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder and depression was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of a chronic, identifiable rib disability in or after service and against a finding of an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for head injury residuals, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee instability were also denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and an opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, loss of concentration, IBS, and a sleep disorder. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left forearm scar, left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral pes planus, and IBS. The Veteran was also awarded a higher rating for his right shoulder disability and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since July 5, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his chronic toenail fungus, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemochromatosis.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, IBS, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were all granted with effective dates of May 29, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and cervical spine disability were not addressed due to the remand instructions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected IBS and GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

Service connection for GERD has been granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive symptoms and IBS have been granted increased evaluations, resulting in a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.,Since April 14, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation of 70 percent for his PTSD with depressive symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and considering the Veteran's testimony regarding worsening of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is January 22, 2007. For special monthly compensation based upon aid and attendance or housebound status, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria as he can feed himself and prepare his own meals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, headaches, and sleep apnea. The claim for PTSD was reopened but not granted due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for IBS, which he claims developed during active duty. The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination addressing his theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's initial rating for a ventral hernia is granted at 20 percent, and his increased rating for IBS with GERD and hiatal hernia is granted at 60 percent effective September 21, 2015.,Prior to September 21, 2015, the Veteran's IBS with GERD and hiatal hernia was rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, originally claimed as PTSD, is not related to or caused by any event in service.,The right ankle disability was also determined to be unrelated to events in service.