IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and additional development of asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his IBS and determine which condition, GERD or IBS, is more predominant. The RO will also obtain updated VA treatment records and any private colonoscopy records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the diagnosis and need for further examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts, right shoulder cyst residuals, tinnitus, chronic fatigue, dizziness, numbness, short-term memory loss, and attention problems is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for sinusitis and a headache condition is also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability and has remanded the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to February 18, 2014, for the award of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a broken right middle finger and gastrointestinal disability (IBS). The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the gastrointestinal disability claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, GERD and hiatal hernia as secondary to PTSD due to a lack of medical evidence supporting current diagnoses.

The Veteran's IBS was not rated at a compensable level from May 14, 2010 to July 17, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for right ear hearing loss disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and bilateral foot condition. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted. The Veteran's claims for vertigo, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nephrolithiasis, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been rated at 30 percent since November 15, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms of severe diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress have been present for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, right wrist, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for CVS is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for IBS, as it was unclear whether the gastrointestinal complaints were related to a somatization disorder or directly related to military service.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis with history of irritable bowel disease was rated at 10 percent from February 17, 2007 to March 26, 2014 and May 30, 2014 to October 9, 2018.,Beginning October 10, 2018, the Veteran was rated at 30 percent for his ulcerative colitis with history of irritable bowel disease.

The Veteran's bilateral trochanteric pain syndrome (hip condition) has been granted service connection due to its undiagnosed nature. The left knee chondromalacia patellae and sinusitis have not met the criteria for a higher rating, while anal fissures and tinea corporis with tinea capital have received appropriate ratings.

The Board has found that the VA examinations are incomplete and requires a new examination to obtain adequate etiological opinions for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,VA is required to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, including those related to sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due exclusively to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).