IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed again due to the lack of relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's IBS disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to her service-connected hysterectomy and oophorectomy.

The Veteran's IBS and tinnitus have been rated at the maximum allowed, but a TDIU has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a TDIU claim. The initial compensable disability rating for residuals of rectal fistula repair is denied, while the noncompensable disability rating for surgical scar, rectal fistula repair remains in effect.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the maximum schedular rating, and his avitaminosis and chronic fatigue syndrome claims are denied. The Board finds that a remand is necessary for further examination regarding his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia, avitaminosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome are denied. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 22, 2008. The effective date for the award of Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is set at January 22, 2008.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal as to all issues except for the acquired psychiatric disorder, which was remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for rosacea, peripheral artery disease, right knee strain, left knee strain, commuter bowel syndrome (IBS), disabilities of the lumbar spine and thoracic segments of the spine, and a right hip disability. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) was denied as there is no evidence of IBS in service or otherwise related to service. The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 14, 2018 for the grant of service connection for gastric ulcer was also denied due to lack of intent to apply for this condition before that date.,The Veteran's initial rating for his gastric ulcer disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an updated VA examination and consideration of extraschedular considerations. The Veteran's IBS with GERD condition is still rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as a Persian Gulf War medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness under the qualifying provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The issues of service connection for chronic right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depression and PTSD), but the remaining issues related to GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, and gastroenteritis are remanded.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression and PTSD, is also service-connected based on a verified stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to missed VA examination and requests a new one. The Veteran is also notified that he must report for the scheduled examination.

The Veteran's IBS, GERD, OSA, and Sleep-Wake Disorder are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded a compensable evaluation for his IBS. Service connection is established for bilateral ankle disability, knee pain, shin pain, foot swelling, and hand swelling due to Gulf War undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 20, 2019 and as 30 percent disabling as of that date. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as Depression and PTSD) and sleep apnea are both remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee DJD and shin splints was denied. A separate 10% rating was granted for right knee instability, and a 30% evaluation was granted for GERD with IBS.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Veteran's stomach condition other than IBS with diverticulitis and diverticulosis is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including asthma, migraines, bilateral hip and knee disorders, a GI disorder, and IBS. The Veteran's claims are reopened due to new evidence received since the previous decisions.

The Veteran's dementia claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of dementia.,PTSD with depression service connection is granted based on a diagnosed PTSD and credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred during active duty in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is presumed to have been incurred as a result of his service in the Persian Gulf War, and he has been granted service connection for this condition.