IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection of IBS and GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2016. Therefore, an earlier effective date for the TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current levels of hearing impairment do not warrant a higher evaluation.,Service connection for sleep apnea, which the Veteran claimed was secondary to PTSD, was also denied. The Board found no evidence that PTSD caused or aggravated sleep apnea.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is found to have been incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches and irritable bowel secondary (IBS) are related to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, IBS, hiatal hernia, and gastritis. The decision finds that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and are at least as likely as not related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to pending claims related to other conditions. The appeal will be deferred until all other issues are resolved.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are moderate with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and right-hand condition.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dessicans was denied. The TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the ongoing increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability. The claim is being returned for further development and an adequate etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, as well as his claim for pain in the chest and ribs related to his hypertension. The cases are being remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining an addendum to the VA examination report and considering all potentially applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, IBS, and GERD due to environmental exposures during service in Southwest Asia (Gulf War). The VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or due to exposure to chemical and environmental hazards.

The Veteran was granted a 50% initial rating for migraine headaches.,An effective date of October 2, 2005, but no earlier, was granted for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).,An effective date of October 2, 2005, but no earlier, was granted for the grant of service connection for malaria on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an August 2007 Rating Decision.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for malaria is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar, depression, and/or anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including IBS, ulcer condition, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, tinnitus, insomnia, left ankle disability (claimed as memory loss, tremors and neurological disease), and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board denied a rating greater than 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS)/ulcerative colitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on severe impairment or malnutrition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) due to unresolved issues in the evidence.