IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions are insufficient to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his right shoulder disability. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for IBS was denied.,The attempt to establish an earlier effective date for service connection of IBS was dismissed as a legal nullity.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection. The gastrointestinal disorders (IBS) and skin disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's left shoulder bursitis is rated at 20 percent, effective February 14, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include left shoulder bursitis and gastrointestinal issues (gastritis and IBS). Effective dates for the awards of service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims and the claim for special monthly compensation before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability but remanded the gastrointestinal condition claims due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's irritable bowel condition is related to service. The Veteran will need a VA examination and opinions on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus bradycardia was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a heart condition and thus, the first requirement for establishing service connection has not been met.,An initial 30% rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. The Veteran reported frequent episodes of diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress.

The Board denied higher initial disability ratings for tension headaches and GERD with IBS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and IBS with functional diarrhea is granted. The claims for Crohn’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, cholelithiasis, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that prior to June 20, 2014, there was no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness due to hazardous environmental exposure in the Persian Gulf was reopened, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability, headaches, and bilateral lower extremity disability due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including dysthymic disorder with anxiety symptoms, migraine headaches, tinnitus, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right ear hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, allergies, bronchitis, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service. The claim for hepatitis C has been remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding herbicide exposure. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or depression) has also been remanded for a separate opinion on both PTSD and depression.,The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, allergies, bronchitis, hypertension, and irritable bowel condition have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service. The claim for hepatitis C due to herbicide exposure has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition as secondary to his service-connected right knee arthritis has been remanded. The claims for an intestinal condition and breathing problems have also been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30 percent, the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the ribs was denied as there is no current diagnosis and no link to his military service.,The petition to reopen the right shoulder disorder claim has been granted, but further examination is needed to determine if it is related to service.