IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met, as the effective date assigned was the day following discharge from service. For other issues, no higher rating could be assigned based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his deployment in Southwest Asia. The Veteran is asked to provide more details and documentation, and VA examinations are scheduled if service in Southwest Asia is confirmed.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to March 22, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's left knee internal derangement instability was not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) is related to his military service, specifically his time in the Persian Gulf. The case is being sent back for further investigation and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD is granted a 40 percent rating, while the IBS with spastic colitis remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted. The Board also remanded several other issues including earlier effective dates, left and right knee disorders, a head injury (TBI), facial scar rating, and PTSD rating increase.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and GERD. The effective date for an increased rating of PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (other than GERD, hiatal hernia, and diverticulosis) was dismissed due to the Veteran’s authorized attorney requesting withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia and diverticulosis and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The issues of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and IBS are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea and gastrointestinal disorders are aggravated by his service-connected conditions or related to active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Veteran did not have a current disability of endometriosis or IBS at the time her claims were filed, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw all pending appeals.

The Veteran's enlarged prostate, hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), mental disorder, hypothyroidism, and macrocytic anemia were not incurred or aggravated during active duty. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service, including herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's enlarged prostate was diagnosed many years after discharge and there is no medical evidence connecting it to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was partially granted with a 70% rating from January 12, 2017 to March 27, 2019 and a 100% rating beginning March 28, 2019. Other claims remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected major depressive disorder, an initial compensable rating for migraine variants, and service connection for IBS. Additional development is needed as per the instructions provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was reopened and granted. His hiatal hernia with GERD and IBS received a 30 percent disability rating from December 19, 2006 to April 17, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The issues of service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed before a final determination can be made.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 1, 2015 for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 30 percent and 10 percent for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Hemorrhoids have also been denied.