IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The appeal on the claim of entitlement to service connection for IBS is dismissed. Entitlement to a higher initial rating for GERD, currently evaluated at 10 percent, is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service connected disabilities, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the nature and likely cause of his left knee patella alta, gastrointestinal disability, hemorrhoids, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report and the need for a new one with a full explanation of the relationship between the Veteran's abdominal conditions and her service-connected major depressive disorder.

The claims for service connection for acne vulgaris, type II diabetes mellitus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibroid tumors, memory loss, and hair loss are denied.,The claims for service connection for IBS, fibroid tumors, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and gastrointestinal disability (IBS) due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The appeal is denied as the notice of disagreement was not timely filed, and all claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple internal injuries, including fractures of ribs and lacerations of the liver. The cause is not service-connected as there were no pre-existing conditions or exposure to herbicide agents that contributed to his death.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected recurrent pyloric channel ulcer with gastro-duodenitis, postoperative vagotomy. The issue of service connection for IBS has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing it prior to a decision. The rating for the recurrent pyloric channel ulcer with gastro-duodenitis remains at 40 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for another VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back condition is now rated at 40 percent effective September 4, 2013.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted. The claims of service connection for cardiac disability and hypertension were denied.,A 100% rating for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted from March 5, 2013 through October 28, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding service connection for IBS and/or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran needs to provide any service treatment records she possesses or identify and secure any relevant private medical records. A VA examination is required to determine if her IBS and GERD were caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease/condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, enlarged prostate with urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and blurred vision are not related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 8, 2014 for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The right and left knee conditions are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and gastrointestinal disability to include irritable bowel syndrome and residuals of a resection of the colon are both granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of separated broken ribs has been denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 4, 2014 (the date of the Veteran's TDIU claim).,Osteoarthritis/degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective March 4, 2014.,The Veteran's claims for Meniere's disease and vertigo/dizziness are remanded as further evaluation is needed.,The Veteran's claims for vertigo/dizziness and Meniere's disease are remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and need for further medical examinations. The issues include knee, cervical spine, upper back, foot, IBS, and psychiatric disorders.