IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are not fully addressed due to new evidence submitted after the July 11, 2019 decision. The issues of service connection for various conditions and an increased rating remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disorders have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic diarrhea (claimed as IBS) and sleep apnea due to potential issues with the evidence or need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability and bilateral pes planus of the feet have been dismissed. The remaining issues, including those related to gastrointestinal and respiratory disabilities, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's IBS and diverticulosis when not on medication, which could affect the rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a VA examination to determine if any current gastrointestinal disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome and functional bowel syndrome, is related to service. The Veteran's statements of continuity will be considered in forming an opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for a urological disability. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is not linked to his military service, while his urological disabilities may be related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic dizziness, and increased hair loss as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for cracked ribs has been denied as there is no evidence of rib removal or resection without regeneration.,Service connection for lung conditions (COPD and Bronchiectasis) and back condition (Cracked Vertebra and Degenerative Joint Disease) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Cold injury residuals of bilateral feet, hands, and face have been remanded as there is insufficient evidence on file to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for back disability, lower intestinal disorder (IBS and diverticulosis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and panic disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnoses to her military service.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen his service connection claim and increase ratings for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30 percent, the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability and determining if there is a current diagnosis of CFS or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to missing medical records and inaccurate examiner opinions. The issues of increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome, service connection for thoracolumbar spine condition, and entitlement to an initial rating of 30 percent for right ulnar neuropathy are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, undiagnosed illness with chronic diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome), tinnitus, and hearing loss, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right knee disabilities, a right hand disability, a low back disability, sleep problems, GERD, IBS, varicose veins, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeals are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for sleep apnea was denied. Service connection for a GI disorder and fibromyalgia were also denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board dismissed the case for service connection of hypothyroidism as it had been granted in a previous decision. The irritable bowel syndrome was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective June 12, 2015. Hemorrhoids were rated at 20 percent prior to June 12, 2015 and the impairment of sphincter control associated with hemorrhoids received a separate 10 percent rating as of that date.