IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's IBS from October 15, 2015 due to moderate symptoms with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The claims for higher evaluations of GERD, right ear hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle fracture and IBS have been reopened, and the claim for service connection for a right ankle fracture has been granted. The claims for secondary service connection for back condition due to right ankle fracture residuals and for IBS are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and headaches are rated at 70 percent combined, qualifying her for TDIU benefits. The Board granted the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service.,Service connection is being sought for IBS, a right knee disability, a left shoulder disability, and a low back disability. The GI claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his IBS is rated at 30 percent. His combined rating is 70 percent, qualifying him for TDIU based on the schedular criteria.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including headaches, kidney disability, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, left thumb disability, broken ribs residuals, lipoma scar, and bilateral pes cavus. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for headaches, his claim of service connection for a kidney disability remains pending, he must provide new evidence to reopen his previously denied claim, he needs to establish service connection for anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, left thumb disability, broken ribs residuals, lipoma scar, and bilateral pes cavus. The Board will review the claims again after obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of her active duty periods. The low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss issues are also being remanded as there is insufficient evidence on etiology.

The Veteran's skin conditions, respiratory issues (including sleep apnea), and gastrointestinal disorders other than irritable bowel syndrome are not service-connected.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, an anal perianal fistula (claimed as gastrointestinal issues), and IBS have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for sinusitis, asthma, shortness of breath, and headaches are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has ordered further development to determine the current severity of his gastrointestinal condition and hyperkeratosis of the feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal and gastroesophageal disorders, including GERD, hiatal hernia, and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation. The current disabilities were not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, as well as her gastrointestinal disability (IBS). The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vision disability, increased rating for IBS, and effective dates for TDIU and DEA eligibility are all denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for his vision disability or an increase in his IBS rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been granted. The effective dates are not specified in this decision.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to January 17, 2018 for the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that there was no evidence of an undiagnosed illness or chronic multi-symptom illness related to his military service. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence linking the current gastrointestinal disabilities to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a mouth disorder, allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's headaches alone rendered him unemployable from March 9, 1994 to September 20, 2012. As he also had additional service-connected disabilities that when combined were independently ratable at 60 percent or more, the criteria for entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) were met from March 9, 1994 to September 20, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD service connection was granted. The ratings for his eye disability, hemorrhoids, and hearing loss were not granted as requested. His claims for IBS and GERD are remanded.