IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome did not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU prior to July 22, 2011. The Board denied his claim as he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS, chronic diarrhea, and status post resection of large intestine is being remanded due to the VA's failure to obtain relevant medical records from St. Mary’s Health Center and Jefferson City Medical Group.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions. The claim to reopen a previously denied cervical spine disorder is remanded due to new evidence showing degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for diabetes was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS, but remanded it for further development. The right shoulder disability issue is also remanded.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran has IBS or another stomach disability, including constipation, and if so, whether it is related to his service-connected depression.

The Board denied service connection for IBS, a cecal tubulovillous adenoma, Leydig cell testicular tumor, and papillary adenocarcinoma all claimed as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,For the cecal tubulovillous adenoma, the Board found that it did not manifest until several years after service and was not shown to be causally related to any event in service including his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, a gynecological disability, and a heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remanded issues are currently pending and will be reconsidered by the RO. The remaining denied conditions include acquired absence of teeth, fatty liver, left great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, right great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), pain in all joints and muscles, bilateral hearing loss, right Achilles tendonitis with calcaneal spurs, bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), hernias, left knee osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted. The claim for reopening of the lumbar spine disorder is also granted, but further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disorder. The claim for service connection for seizure disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant or his authorized representative requested withdrawal of the appeal for earlier effective dates for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of whether Reiter's syndrome is an active process since June 2014 examination, as well as determining if other orthopedic disorders are chronic residuals.

The Veteran's medical expenses for October 21, 2014 at Providence Holy Family Hospital were granted because her abdominal pain was considered a medical emergency due to its severity and urgency. No VA facilities were feasibly available or reasonable to use beforehand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records, particularly those related to Active Duty Training and Inactive Duty Training.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as they allow for reasonable accommodation in a solitary work environment.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The decision also denied service connection for memory loss. The Board remanded the issues of service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), to include as due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current headaches and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for giardiasis and irritable bowel syndrome due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity for a VA examination to determine if her gastrointestinal symptoms are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his mental disabilities and entitlement to TDIU due to additional relevant records received since the last adjudication.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination and consideration of whether the Veteran's IBS warrants a compensable rating or TDIU.