IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The appeals to reopen service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and irritable bowel syndrome are all being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are caused by long-term use of NSAIDs and opiates to treat his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is presumed to have Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as new opinions regarding the etiology of her bruxism, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded due to uncertainty regarding his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The case will be further developed to determine if he qualifies for the Gulf War presumption and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to new evidence received and the need for further examinations. The reopened claim of fibrocystic breast disease is pending, while other issues related to service connection are also being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are directly related to active service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided in May 2015 were inadequate and remanded for further examination. The Veteran's GERD and IBS are being remanded to determine their etiology, specifically whether they are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's prostatitis was granted an initial rating of 20 percent from May 9, 1991 to January 28, 2002 and a maximum schedular rating of 40 percent from January 29, 2002 to the present.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from May 9, 1991.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for dizzy spells, nausea, and memory loss claimed as residuals to a traumatic brain injury; a right knee condition; anemia; and a stomach disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome) due to receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Board has dismissed these matters.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gallbladder removal and whether it is related to service in the Southwest Asia theater.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent since August 17, 2015.,Service connection for IBS is granted as the condition is presumptively related to service in the Gulf War theater.,Service connection for bilateral chronic plantar fasciitis is granted based on a current diagnosis and evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches remains pending due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted TDIU effective March 29, 2017.,An earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating for reactive airway disease and/or asthma prior to April 6, 2012 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, left knee disability, right leg disability, sleep apnea, and IBS. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS is rated at a 30 percent since November 17, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms of chronic diarrhea and more or less constant abdominal distress meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran's belief in having a current diagnosis was not supported by competent medical evidence.