IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including frontal sinus osteoma, head trauma, headaches, chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, GERD, and others. The claim of tinea pedis was also withdrawn.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for right upper, left lower, or right lower extremity neurological disabilities.,Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction secondary to a service-connected back disability. The Veteran's IBS and bilateral gout of the feet are each rated at their highest possible compensable levels.

The Veteran's intestinal polyps and IBS have been productive of severe symptoms, objectively supported by examination findings. The Board has determined a single 40 percent rating for the combined symptoms of her IBS and intestinal polyps residuals is warranted throughout the period of the claim under DC 7329.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. For his IBS, the Board granted a 30 percent rating since the effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and sleep disturbance is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available. The GERD and IBS are rated at 30 percent. The right foot skin disability has been restored to a 10 percent rating, while the left foot skin disability remains at a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, IBS, and osteoporosis. The Veteran's initial evaluations for cervical spine strain, lumbosacral spine disability, tinea pedis, and the effective dates for these conditions have also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar posterior calcaneal spurs was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under the schedular criteria. The Veteran's IBS is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective December 13, 2001. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied as no communication prior to December 13, 2001 can be interpreted as a formal or informal claim for PTSD. For the entire period on appeal, the criteria for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD have not been met. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's ventral incisional hernia has been rated at 20% since March 9, 2010. The Board found that the condition warranted a higher rating based on its severity and impact on daily activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disabilities, including chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as gastrointestinal symptoms), and myalgia (chronic widespread pain), are at least as likely as not related to his active military service. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's IBS was rated at 30 percent from April 9, 2012. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and obtain treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, effective date prior to June 18, 2008 for TDIU and educational assistance are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for SMC is also being remanded.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome are found to be related to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, which is presumed due to exposure to environmental factors during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain a comprehensive VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed gastrointestinal disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed, including service treatment records and a VA examination for the Veteran's TBI, IBS, and respiratory disorder claims. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IBS, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 2, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met beginning on this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying the nature of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is aggravated by his service-connected IBS, and because the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder is intertwined with a TDIU claim that remains in remand status.