IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and TBI have been granted service connection. An initial rating of 40 percent for TBI prior to November 13, 2013 has also been granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's costochondritis warrants separate higher ratings of 20 percent for moderate impairment caused by costochondritis of the left and right side. The issue of service connection for IBS is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability and dyspepsia. The cases of irritable bowel syndrome, urticaria (skin rash), memory loss, fatigue, and headaches are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, IBS, anxiety disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left and right knee patellofemoral arthritis have all been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded separate ratings for his lower extremity and knee conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral senile cataracts, GERD, nonallopathic lesions of the left fifth and sixth ribs, and residuals of a right ankle fracture. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation of 10 percent for IBS as of May 6, 2015, to August 29, 2018, is granted. The claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent prior to August 29, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent as of August 30, 2018, are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was denied as there is no current diagnosis of IBS and no competent evidence showing that his reported gastrointestinal symptoms have resulted in functional impairments in earning capacity.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for IBS and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for a dependent child based on school attendance was denied as the evidence did not show that information regarding D.G.'s status as a dependent school child was received within a year of his 18th birthday or when he began college.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the specific ratings and effective dates are not provided in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including IBS, due to incomplete examination records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's IBS has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective November 13, 2016.

The appeal as to PTSD is dismissed. Service connection for dry eye syndrome, secondary to service-connected bilateral pinguecula, is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a left eye corneal scar is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded. The claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of cholecystectomy is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was granted, and his PTSD rating was restored to 70 percent. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically migraines, hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left side tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hemorrhoids associated with IBS.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for IBS, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and anxiety and depression. The claims are being remanded to obtain necessary medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him totally unemployable.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on an extraschedular basis and TDIU prior to March 4, 2014. The case will be reviewed with further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Barrett's esophagus with cholecystitis and IBS, status post Nissan fundoplication and gastric resection was denied. The Board found that the current 50 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability. Additionally, TDIU was granted due to the cumulative effect of multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for GERD/hiatal hernia, IBS/diverticulosis, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's attorney submitted medical literature that needs to be considered in determining whether these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder or other factors.