IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, OSA, IBS, TBI, cervical spine disability, and osteoarthritis of the left knee. The effective dates for these issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,His chloracne behind the ears, presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, is also granted as service-connected.

An initial rating of 30 percent for IBS is granted effective February 5, 2013. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as she has been substantially gainfully employed throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection for IBS was granted with an effective date of June 18, 2014. An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) prior to December 2, 2014 and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter were granted. The Veteran's headaches received an initial 30 percent rating, with no more than this level. His skin disability was rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. A reduction in his neck disability rating from 30% to 20% was found improper and void ab initio. An increased rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted, as well as a compensable rating for a surgical neck scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, Title 38, due to lack of clear evidence that he was prevented from initiating or completing his chosen program of education due to physical or mental disability.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for co-payment exemption for medication and beneficiary travel expenses to both the Port Charlotte CBOC and Bay Pines VAMC. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet eligibility criteria or provide sufficient evidence for reimbursement.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and PTSD are granted initial disability ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent rating from October 28, 2014; and increased to a 70 percent rating prior to August 13, 2015. The VA has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the period prior to August 13, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression not otherwise specified and gastrointestinal disability (including IBS) to include as secondary to psychiatric disability is granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the current psychiatric disability had its onset in service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted. The appeal as to the claim of service connection for burn scars of the right forearm and face is moot, and the claim is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain his complete service treatment records and determine the appropriate rating for his hearing loss, as well as service connection for sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a mental health condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for enlarged prostate is reopened, but the issue of entitlement to service connection remains denied.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied as there is no evidence that it is related to active service or exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical records, including those from November 2015 to the present. The Veteran's IBS or other disorder characterized by diarrhea is suspected of having developed during active duty service (January 2003 to October 2003) or being related to her service in Kuwait (April 2003 to September 2003).

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable during the period from September 2014 to September 2015.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance due to irritable bowel syndrome was denied because hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical ointment do not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments, as determined by the VA.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and evaluation, including those related to left shoulder strain, sacroiliac injury, bilateral knee tendonitis/tendonosis, IBS, and allergies. Higher initial ratings have been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his prostate cancer and other conditions are denied. The Veteran also receives a 30 percent rating for pneumonia.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to August 13, 2018, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter for lumbar strain with DDD, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS.

Service connection for hyperlipidemia, headaches, hyperthyroidism, depression, Peyronie's disease, colon polyps, West Nile virus, tinea, GERD, intestinal disorder (to include IBS and chronic diarrhea), back condition, hypothyroidism, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction is denied.,Service connection for PTSD was awarded on February 13, 2013.