IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including additional VA treatment records and a June 2019 VA mental disorders examination. The issues include various disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her claims of service connection for headaches, sleep apnea syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,The Board also denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims of service connection for IBS and costochondritis, finding new and material evidence that supports these claims. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 60 percent for resection of large bowel, small bowel obstruction and lysis of adhesions with gastroparesis, GERD, and IBS (also claimed shortened small bowel) has been granted.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at a 30 percent effective as of March 11, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The issue of service connection for anemia is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected gastric ulcer disease with GERD, gastroenteritis, celiac disease and IBS has been granted. The decision also grants the Veteran a 100 percent rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, sleep apnea, gastritis and IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are mixed. Service connection is granted for sleep apnea but denied for basal cell carcinoma, gastritis and IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, right lower extremity chronic muscular strain, left lower extremity chronic muscular strain, right ankle synovitis, left ankle synovitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and a headache disability were also denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for colon polyps was denied, and his request for SMC at the housebound rate prior to January 18, 2012 and from May 1, 2012 through February 7, 2017 was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and IBS, finding that these conditions did not manifest in active duty service or are otherwise attributable to active duty service. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is less likely as not related to his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, IBS, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica. The claim for hypertension was remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's application for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and his rating for IBS is increased to 10 percent. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, and onychomycosis due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or in-service events. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, bilateral foot condition, depressive disorder (claimed as insomnia), facial fungal infection, and headaches due to exposure to environmental hazards during her service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hypertension are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines, with no further increase in rating possible.,Compensation for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted beginning June 15, 2018. The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities prevented him from performing the physical and mental acts required for employment.