IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and IBS, as he withdrew his appeals. The Board has also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination, including a Gulf War examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is not related to service or PTSD, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for S-DVI due to pending service connection claims, and instructed that the AOJ should hold the appeal in abeyance until those claims are resolved. The AOJ is also directed to seek further medical explanation from the underwriter regarding the assigned debits for non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, hiatal hernia, gastritis, and bilateral breast fibrocystic condition, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 13, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diarrhea have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and determination of service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the claim of an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 1, 2018 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran’s scar from inguinal hernia surgery is rated at 10%. Other claims are being remanded.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia, cervical arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches (secondary to PTSD) are all pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased compensation and service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied service connection for rectal cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, kidney cancer, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,For type II diabetes mellitus, kidney cancer, and hypertension, the Board has ordered that the Veteran provide any relevant private treatment records from Fort Gordon where he was hospitalized during his period of service. For irritable bowel syndrome, the Board has ordered that the Veteran provide information about his alleged hospitalization at Fort Gordon.,For an acquired psychiatric disability, the Board has ordered that the Veteran provide information about his alleged hospitalization at Fort Gordon.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, folliculitis scars on the face, irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, and bronchitis have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for paresthesia in the right foot and toes is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder chronic pain is also remanded.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at the maximum schedular rating. The Board has denied a higher rating for IBS, and has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and fatigue syndrome, to include CFS.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress himself, keep himself clean, feed himself, attend to personal needs, and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a GI disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for glaucoma, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, and nerve damage. The claims are currently pending.

An initial 10 percent rating is granted for uveitis of the left eye, effective September 16, 2014. A higher rating is denied.,A 30 percent rating is granted for a bowel disorder (including IBS, UC, and GERD) prior to February 21, 2018. A higher rating is denied after that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to outstanding VA treatment records and unavailability of service treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claims for stomach, throat, and GERD disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The RO will need to schedule a new examination by a gastroenterologist or other gastrointestinal specialist to address the nature and cause of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, IBS, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, left hand pain, left arm pain, lower back pain, and bilateral toe conditions have all been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, diastolic heart failure (claimed as heart condition), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC, as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.