IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's asthma, IBS, and acid reflux disabilities are granted as service-connected.,A rating of 30% for tension headaches is granted effective September 1, 2011 through March 21, 2017. A rating of 50% for tension headaches is granted effective March 22, 2017 and thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids, all of which are not presumed to be caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that these conditions were related to his time at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS is reopened, but the Board finds insufficient evidence to make a determination regarding the nature and etiology of his symptoms. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection and increased ratings for his gastrointestinal issues, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and lower left extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, as it is related to his already service-connected IBS. The decision will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be at least as likely as not related to his GERD, and a rating of 30 percent for IBS with GERD is granted. The issue of an increased rating for IBS remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bowel disability, including irritable bowel syndrome, as secondary to his service-connected abdominal stab wound. Additional development is needed due to incomplete examination and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 20, 2009. Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent from May 7, 2019 onwards. The initial rating for IBS remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has been consistently engaged in substantially gainful employment throughout the relevant period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for cognitive impairment and memory loss, OSA, headaches, IBS, asthma, and dyshidrotic eczema as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeals related to cervical/thoracic spine disorder, hypertension, dizziness/vertigo, eustachian tube dysfunction, left knee disorder, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities associated with the lumbar spine disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a nerve injury in the right foot, and total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability prior to July 14, 2012 are REMANDED.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of duodenal cancer and remanded the issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) and respiratory disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents, asbestos, burn pits, Camp Lejeune, radiation, and Gulf War. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability, primarily Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed conditions, which include gastrointestinal issues and varicose veins. The examinations will also assess whether any of these conditions are related to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, COPD (manifested by shortness of breath), IBS with bloody stool, and diverticulitis are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and irritable bowel syndrome with GERD and hiatal hernia are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. The claims for hiatal hernia, GERD, and IBS are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and hypertension, but granted service connection for kidney cancer. The Veteran's IBS and Crohn’s disease were partially granted with a staged rating prior to September 10, 2019, and the issue was remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulosis, and colon polyps. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for an intestinal disorder (IBS and diverticulitis) and bilateral pes planus has been remanded.

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection, and the Board found that his left knee disability, right leg/knee disability, and low back disability were aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis. The other issues remain on appeal.