IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) and an esophageal disorder. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is granted on a presumptive basis under VA regulations, while the esophageal disorder claim remains remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome as due to Gulf War service based on the lack of evidence showing these conditions manifested to a degree of 10% or more within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's private physician provided an opinion linking these conditions to his military service, but the Board found this opinion insufficient without supporting medical records.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD, with IBS as of January 27 2012 are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids due to additional evidence submitted since previous decisions.

The Veteran's fecal incontinence associated with service-connected Gilbert syndrome with IBS is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered a remand to determine the current severity of his incontinence symptoms.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with mild diverticulosis and peptic ulcer disease has not been manifested as moderately severe duodenal ulcer; less than severe but with impairment of health manifested by anemia and weight loss; or recurrent incapacitating episodes averaging 10 days or more in duration at least 4 or more times a year. As such, the Veteran's condition does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, as it is a presumptive condition under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities have been granted but are moot due to the grant.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for rectal outlet dysfunction (IBS) has been denied as there is no CUE in the August 2009 rating decision.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for irritable bowel syndrome was denied. However, the Veteran was granted a separate 30 percent rating for occasional involuntary bowel movements necessitating wearing of a pad due to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted his TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea with COPD and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions, including gout, hypertension, GERD and IBS, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee status post anterior cruciate ligament repair, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right lower extremity surgical scars. The Veteran contends that he should have higher initial ratings for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for IBS, mild epididymitis and left hydrocele, and heart condition. The case will be referred to VA Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of extraschedular evaluations. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cardiac disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence of in-service incidence or current disability. The Board found new and relevant evidence since the last decision, warranting readjudication.,For irritable bowel syndrome, the Veteran's lay statements about in-service symptoms were not considered by the VA examiner, who concluded that there is less than a 50% probability that IBS was incurred during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for IBS, acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and Anxiety Disorder), and migraines due to the need for additional evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if her conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's chronic constipation is found to be related to his service in the Gulf War, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, frequent urination, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right ankle disability has been granted with a 20% evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service disease or injury and no credible evidence of persistent/recurrent symptoms since service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any diagnosed gastrointestinal cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evaluations and records, including employment history and vocational rehabilitation assessments. The AOJ must ensure that all relevant information is obtained before proceeding with a determination of his eligibility for VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.