IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as nightmare disorder/other specified trauma and stressor disorder. Service connection for IBS and GERD have been denied.

The Veteran's service connection for gastrointestinal problems/irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to Gulf War environmental hazards has been granted. However, his earlier effective date claims for sinusitis and rhinitis have been denied.,The Veteran was previously denied an earlier effective date for sinusitis because he did not request it during the May 2012 phone call. The September 13, 2013 VA Form 21-4318 is considered his first formal claim for this condition.

Service connection for broken feet, left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension has been denied.,The Veteran's TBI claim is remanded as additional records are needed to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder and other specified depressive disorder now with major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (psychiatric disorder) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS has also been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen her claims for service connection for residuals of a hysterectomy, lumbar spine disorder, hernia, acquired psychiatric disorder, and IBS. The claims are now evaluated on their merits.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS-C and awarded a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has vacated its July 25, 2019 decision and remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches. The initial rating for IBS prior to November 9, 2018 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for a higher rating after November 9, 2018 is also denied due to the Veteran receiving the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, parasitic bowel disease (now claimed as IBS), and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or lack of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastritis, including as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but has remanded the issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, gastritis, pancreatitis, inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, as well as associated neurological symptoms including radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and neurogenic bladder symptoms, have been granted a 40 percent rating since November 30, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS is granted as the evidence shows he has this condition, which is associated with his service in Southwest Asia. The Board found that a new diagnosis of IBS was warranted and ruled out other gastrointestinal diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since November 15, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for various service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, carpal tunnel syndromes, and respiratory issues, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The appeals will be reconsidered based on new evidence and a thorough review of the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent disability rating for IBS was granted effective January 23, 2013. The effective date is the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 2, 2015. A 70% disability rating for PTSD effective October 7, 2014 was granted. The Veteran's IBS received a 10% disability rating from December 1, 2010 and a 30% disability rating from February 27, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete medical records and for further examination. Service connection is being considered based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 21, 2014 for the award of service connection for IBS. The decision finds that the Veteran's complaints of constipation and diarrhea in October 2014 were symptoms of her later diagnosed IBS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip condition, left hip condition, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.