IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right ankle, rib fractures, lung condition, and back disorder are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), gastrointestinal disorder (other than IBS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), neurological disorder, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disorder, and memory problems, are not related to his active service. Therefore, these claims have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there is no current evidence of the condition and the Veteran has not provided competent medical evidence to support his claim.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for nasal fracture residuals and sleep apnea. The issues of recurrent gastrointestinal disability to include IBS, PTSD with depression and a panic disorder, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD and headaches due to additional development being needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for gastrointestinal disability (IBS), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms and any gastrointestinal disability, including IBS. His claim for service connection of IBS as secondary to PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and a retrospective medical opinion to assess the severity of his lower back disability prior to August 3, 2017. The issues of PTSD, GERD with hiatal hernia and IBS, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis are also remanded for updated examinations.

The Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disorder, PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has remanded the cases of coronary artery disease, skin disorder, right ear hearing loss, headaches secondary to PTSD, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of severe symptoms warranting the increased rating prior to June 27, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for PVD and IBS, as they are related to his service-connected tinnitus and PTSD respectively. Additional evidence is needed from medical providers.

The Veteran's Bell's Palsy and varicella claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran’s dermatofibroma to include lipomas, hiatal hernia, IBS, and costochondritis (claimed as chest pain) were all granted as they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims due to uncertainty about his periods of active duty in October 1995.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS is currently rated as 10 percent prior to August 27, 2015 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the period beginning August 27, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted, and he is now receiving a 30% rating for IBS. The increased rating claim for IBS has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including IBS, diverticulitis, and diverticulosis, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a bruised kidney with hematuria, irritable bowel syndrome, and left knee condition.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has any current disabilities related to her in-service injuries or conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and kidney stones due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's IBS is being reviewed again, including consideration of private medical opinions, while the claim for kidney stones requires an addendum addressing the relationship between IBS and kidney stones.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, left foot disability, migraine disability, right hand disability, CFS, and GI disabilities (IBS and GERD) have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids, with a focus on determining if these conditions are related to his military service.

The claims for irritable bowel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records.