IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The effective date for the award of service connection for IBS is denied as no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the May 2011 denial.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, depression, fibromyalgia, and a higher rating for IBS are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded in conjunction with these issues.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is remanded as the current VA examination opinions do not address causation or aggravation by his service-connected headaches. The claims for depression and fibromyalgia are also remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation or aggravation by his service-connected headaches.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IBS is remanded as the current VA examination did not address the severity of his condition since March 2016. The claim for a compensable rating for lattice degeneration is also remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded in conjunction with the increased ratings for IBS and lattice degeneration.

The Board has granted service connection for deep muscle (chest) pain and remanded the issue of a higher rating for left wrist, postoperative scarring.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for fibromyalgia and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The VA found that the current schedular ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran’s fibromyalgia, as well as his PTSD and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right heel disability, and irritable bowel syndrome have been granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder is related to in-service stressors and secondary to service-connected disabilities. The right heel disability does not meet the criteria for a current disability. The irritable bowel syndrome began during active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection and a 20 percent disability rating. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied, as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. Ratings for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (status post-surgery) are increased to 30 percent effective October 7, 2019, and for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome (status post-surgery) are increased to 40 percent effective October 7, 2019.

The Veteran's unspecified trauma-related disorder is granted service connection. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's IBS is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, including Gulf War exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tendonitis of the left ankle, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to allow for further development.,The Veteran's representative status is unclear due to multiple changes in representation over time.

The Board is remanding the case to reconsider a 1980 rating decision that failed to address service connection for gastritis and IBS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death and entitlement to DIC benefits, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided in prior decisions.,Specifically, the Board found that the VA examinations did not provide sufficient rationale for their negative nexus opinions and required additional examination with an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now entitled to benefits for a headache disorder, right hip disability, and irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, his hearing loss has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral shin splints/knee strain, and IBS.

The Veteran's IBS was granted an initial compensable disability rating of 30 percent for the period prior to May 5, 2015.

The VA denied a higher rating for hepatitis C and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the appellant's symptoms did not meet criteria for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, bilateral eye disability, and memory loss due to Gulf War Service. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for sciatica, subluxation of the ribs, bilateral elbow disability, bilateral wrist/hand disability, bilateral ankle disability, pelvic disorder, residuals of an abdominal muscle injury, varicose veins (bilateral lower extremity), dizzy spells, balance impairment with assistive device, and difficulty swallowing has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a bilateral hip disability secondary to cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities is remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia, as the appellant is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. The claim remains pending on its merits.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is dismissed due to pyramiding.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been granted. The Veteran served in the Southwest Asia theater and has a current diagnosis of IBS.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to lack of an appropriate diagnosis or clear etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness, including due to undiagnosed illness, is remanded as the cause of his symptoms has not been determined.,Service connection for chronic frontal sinusitis is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset and relation to service.