IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux secondary to his service-connected residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected residuals of a stab wound with irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms since separation from service are also considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's IBS and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The Veteran also received a 30% disability rating for his bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, effective January 27, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and chronic sinusitis are dismissed as the AOJ has not issued a final rating decision regarding these issues.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and remanded for further development on other issues. The VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including Raynaud's syndrome.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including IBS, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and GERD. The main reasons are the need for additional examinations to determine etiology and severity of these conditions, as well as whether they are aggravated by other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for removal of ribs with shortness of breath and left shoulder pain, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on evidence showing a causal relationship between these conditions and her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and chronic diarrhea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remand are pending. The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches, but the right ankle disability, psychiatric disability, esophageal reflux, IBS, insomnia, plantar fasciitis, ulcers, and cystic acne remain unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities. The claims for epididymitis and testicular pain, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and gastrointestinal disability (to include irritable bowel syndrome) are remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were denied increased ratings, with the case being remanded for further examination.,Service connection for a left wrist condition (claimed as cyst/benign growth) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was also remanded.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent evaluation, while his other stressor or trauma related disorder remains at 30 percent despite the Veteran's assertions of increased impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to schedule an examination for the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) claim, including consideration of presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and dismissed the appeal regarding irritable bowel syndrome as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, thyroid disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and vertigo due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left hydrocele/spermatocele has been rated as noncompensable (no disability) since the appeal period began, and an increased rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted, and the effective date is set at October 10, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and IBS made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU effective March 7, 2007.