IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, microscopic hematuria, obesity/weight gain, bilateral knee disability, hypothyroidism and nodular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, and kidney disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at a maximum of 30 percent from November 5, 2002, to September 24, 2007. The claim for TDIU is being remanded and referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia (claimed as joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, and a sleep disorder) are denied. The effective date is set at September 16, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are not currently decided as they involve new issues.

The Board has granted a separate initial rating of 60 percent for impairment of sphincter control associated with service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that the Veteran's symptoms, including extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements, warrant this higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cholecystectomy and IBS is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from October 25, 2013 is granted.

The Veteran's digestive disorders are being remanded for further examination and consideration. The left knee instability and degenerative changes are also being remanded due to the lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals regarding the initial compensable ratings for various conditions, including coccyx fracture, hemorrhoids, toenail fungus of the bilateral great toes, right elbow limitation of extension, chronic kidney disease, post-operative dry eye syndrome in both eyes, irritable bowel syndrome, and right elbow tendonitis.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux with nausea and vomiting, chronic fatigue, varicocele, and testicular cyst. Service connection was denied for headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and acid reflux. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of VA examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was not properly created due to an error in converting the Veteran's record from one payment system to another. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's eye disability manifested by color deficiency is denied as it is a congenital defect.,An initial 50 percent disability rating for service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attack and unspecified depressive disorder, prior to May 21, 2019, has been granted. However, from May 21, 2019, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is manifested by no worse than flexion limited to 150 degrees and right shoulder disability by no worse than flexion limited to 145 degrees. Neither meets the criteria for a higher rating.,Left hip trochanteric bursitis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating, while right hip trochanteric bursitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and right knee have each been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating. No higher ratings are warranted.,Bilateral feet plantar fasciitis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating prior to November 25, 2019, but no higher rating is warranted from that date onwards.,Irritable bowel syndrome has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the October 2019 medical opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition. The examiner needs to clarify how the gastritis during service is distinct from current diagnoses of IBS and GERD.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS and acne have been consistently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of severe impairment or symptoms.,The Veteran's cubital tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities has also been consistently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran requests higher ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including hypertension, IBS, left knee disability, slurred speech, and right and left foot disabilities. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, left hand disability, and lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for asthma due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current asthma diagnosis is related to her service.,Service connection for a digestive disorder, other than GERD with gastritis (IBS) and bilateral keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes syndrome) are denied as there is no probative medical evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and a skin disability have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims. The claim for service connection for dizziness has been remanded.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for IBS and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,For the period beginning January 29, 2020, the Veteran's evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine was also denied due to lack of evidence showing favorable ankylosis or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.