IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and a hiatal hernia due to incomplete communication of the prior remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and irritable bowel syndrome, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected IBS is remanded due to the need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) with applicable rating criteria. The timeliness of the Notice of Disagreement regarding the September 2017 rating decision was also confirmed.

The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of increased ratings for PTSD and IBS was denied. The Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent for her back disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for her right lumbar radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 20 percent for her right knee disability based on limited flexion, a rating in excess of 10 percent for her right knee disability based on subluxation, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for her left knee patellofemoral syndrome.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of increased ratings for PTSD and IBS was granted. The Veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for her IBS as of October 8, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS is granted, and he is assigned a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence. The issues of secondary service connection for tinnitus, service connection for sinusitis with rhinitis, type II diabetes mellitus, irritable bowel syndrome, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current IBS is related to his service, specifically his exposure at Camp Lejeune. The examiner must provide a diagnosis for any related conditions found and address whether these are at least as likely as not related to in-service exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and convulsive disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s convulsive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions on whether the Veteran's IBS is related to service or secondary to his diabetes. The examiner needs to provide a new opinion regarding both direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and remanded the remaining issues due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for revisions of rating decisions and service connection for various conditions, including gastroenteritis, gastritis with hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflex disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his acquired psychiatric condition, service connection for a right wrist condition, respiratory disorder, allergies, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his psychiatric disability, nature and etiology of his right wrist condition, respiratory and sinus conditions, and whether his ulcerative proctitis is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of STRs documenting IBS in service, and requests that the Veteran provide authorization for VA to obtain these records. The case will be reviewed by an appropriate clinician who will determine if the current IBS is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during active service and no recurrence since separation.

For the period from April 25, 2016 to October 14, 2018, an increased evaluation of 30 percent for IBS was granted. For the entire period on appeal, a higher initial evaluation for TMJ was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for CFS and a rating greater than 30 percent for IBS, but has remanded the remaining issues due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and new theories of entitlement. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, sleep apnea, residuals of TIA/stroke, and eye disability are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, respiratory condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and GI symptoms such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.