IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, conflicting diagnoses, and functional limitations. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and scheduling of VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his back and neck disabilities, sleep disorders, and gastrointestinal issues, have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no further increase in rating is warranted. The hearing loss and shoulder conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and further examination. The low back condition claim is being reopened, but service connection remains denied. The intestinal condition (irritable bowel syndrome) and bilateral hearing loss claims are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine if he has IBS and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left kidney condition, tinea corporis (skin condition), chronic fatigue syndrome, and IBS have all been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,A VA examination was ordered to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed IBS.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence received since his last Statement of the Case. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any recent medical care providers and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary atherosclerosis, ulcerative colitis (formerly irritable bowel syndrome), and chronic fatigue.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to February 3, 2012. Service connection for emphysema and irritable bowel syndrome (secondary to diabetes) are granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including cervical spine disability, chronic sinusitis, left hip disability, diverticulitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and endometriosis. The reasons given were that the disabilities did not have their onset in service or are not etiologically related to an in-service disease or injury.

Effective date of July 2, 2015 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety disability; effective date of July 20, 2012 for grants of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and puborectalis syndrome. The low back disorder claim was reopened and granted secondary to his irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity, including a lack of recent VA examinations. The RO is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS with GERD and diverticulosis are shown to have been productive of complaints that include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, but not material weight loss, hematemesis, melena, moderate anemia, or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of the Veteran’s health. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for these conditions are not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, IBS, hypertension, and low back disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,For sinusitis, the claim was previously denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment. The new evidence does not provide a clear link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its previous decision and needs additional evidence, including psychiatric evaluations. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and the anal/perianal fistula claim as fecal incontinence is granted with a 60% rating. The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains at its maximum schedular rating of 30%. The issues are all resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and a left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development and examination are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his IBS, DJD of the thoracic spine, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The issues have been remanded.