IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for IBS, finding new and material evidence. However, the lumbar spine disability claim remains denied.,Service connection was granted for IBS on a secondary basis to PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or an undiagnosed illness.,There was no objective evidence of gastrointestinal symptoms meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7319.

The Board granted service connection for IBS due to undiagnosed illness in the Gulf War, but denied service connection for CFS as there was no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for IBS, GERD, and urinary frequency as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's claim for service connection for urinary frequency secondary to service connected disabilities is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for IBS, GERD, or urinary frequency as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's current 10 percent rating for hypothyroidism is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including consideration of overlapping criteria with other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for painful scars, residual of breast reduction surgery, is denied as the scars are not unstable or painful enough to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which she believes are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's TMJ and sleep apnea claims are granted, with the latter being secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disability. Other secondary service connection claims for various conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, bilateral leg tingling, and increased rating for left knee scar have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and liver damage, finding that the evidence did not support a secondary relationship to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, hypertension, gastrointestinal disabilities, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, headache disability, and IBS have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, breast cancer residuals, back condition, left hip condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, and vitiligo have been denied.,The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for joint pain. The Veteran's current symptoms are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's IBS and GERD disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's ED is caused by his service-connected conditions and the medications for those conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including status post sphincterotomy with fissurectomy and pruritus ani, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, and residual scar, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS is granted as it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War era.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability, irritable bowel syndrome, dental trauma to two front teeth, bilateral knee disorder, residuals of a right fifth finger injury, and sinus condition. The VA is required to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if any current right hip disability is related to active service or events therein, including the alleged inservice right hip injury. Additionally, the Board must issue a statement of the case addressing whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, residuals of a right fifth finger injury, and a sinus condition.