IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, presumed due to his Persian Gulf War service, is granted.,The Veteran's status post bilateral orchiopexy for testicular torsion is granted an increased rating to 20 percent disabling.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected status post bilateral orchiopexy for testicular torsion.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) for erectile dysfunction, based on loss of use of a creative organ, is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, chronic upper respiratory infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran's claims for right hip condition, bilateral eye condition, cervical strain and trapezius muscle spasm, panic disorder, allergic rhinitis, and TMJ are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for irritable bowel syndrome, tinea pedis, TBI, dementia, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, respiratory ailment/breathing problems, periodontal condition, and hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to request development from JSRRC to corroborate the Veteran's reports of deployment with the 602nd Tactical Air Control Center Squadron in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and a temporary total evaluation due to left knee disability was dismissed. The application to reopen claims of service connection for right knee disorder and depression were granted.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome was granted. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's gastroenteritis (IBS) is not service-connected as it did not originate in service and there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not service-connected as they were not present during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a connection with service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cervical spine disability, radiculopathy pain, diabetes mellitus type II, and ankle disabilities. The Veteran is also required to provide additional medical records for consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his heart disease, residuals of cracked ribs, respiratory disorder, lumbar disc disease, radiculopathy, and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of verification of herbicide exposure.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease effective January 12, 2017 on the basis of new and material evidence submitted after a previous denial in July 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and remanded the issues of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and right paralyzed hemidiaphragm with exercise-induced bronchospasm.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to aggravate his IBS and GERD, leading to the grants of service connection for both conditions. The amputation claim remains pending as a remand is required.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus of the right ear and remanded the issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The decision on tinnitus is based on a finding that it did not have its onset in service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service. For IBS, the Board found an inadequate examination as it only addressed causation but not aggravation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, finding that it is at least in equipoise with evidence showing the condition began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected status-post cholecystectomy with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded three of the Veteran's claims: service connection for sleep apnea, service connection for IBS related to Southwest Asia service, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the issues of secondary service connection have been remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial. The issue of TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the rating claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome/Crohn’s disease) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted. The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with GERD and hiatal hernia is granted a 30% disability rating effective October 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for eosinophilic fasciitis, irritable bowel syndrome, myalgia, and esophageal disability secondary to eosinophilic fasciitis due to potential exposure during service. The Veteran's eosinophilic fasciitis is suspected of being caused by a parasite acquired during service overseas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already compensated for insomnia as a symptom of his PTSD, and there was no evidence of an earlier effective date for fibromyalgia or left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Service connection for photophobia, TBI, IBS, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and GERD were not established based on the provided medical opinions.