IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, back, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as service connection for migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, anal fissures, hemorrhoids and pruritus ani are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his right hand, fourth finger tuft and intra-articular fracture was denied. The appeal for service connection for residuals of broken ribs was also denied.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome as no proper rating decisions were issued within a year prior to the Veteran's January 2020 Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) due to insufficient evidence in the previous medical opinions. The Veteran's lay assertions and service history are considered, but a new medical opinion is needed based on full consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and stomach issues, render him unemployable from November 13, 2017 onward. The Board found that his physical and mental abilities were sufficient to perform the type of activities required by his former occupation prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral elbow disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), right shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder has been reopened and remanded. The claims for left knee disability, flat feet, depressive disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right hip disability, and history of left ankle fracture are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS and GERD were rated at 30 percent for the entire increased rating period on appeal, from June 7, 2019. The symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they did not result in material weight loss, hematemesis, melena with moderate anemia or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's abdominal scars are granted as they were incurred during active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's digestive disorder, diagnosed as IBS, was not found to be related to his service or service-connected PTSD.,For prostate cancer residuals, the Veteran received a noncompensable rating from February 14, 2005, and a compensable rating of 40 percent effective June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, and erectile dysfunction were not incurred in or related to his military service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and headaches (claimed as migraines) due to the lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found no evidence of exceptional disability that would warrant an extraschedular evaluation.,For his headache disorder, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 for very frequent prostrating attacks. However, the Board determined that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his headaches were not characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his claimed conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, left knee disability, back disability, right wrist disability, sleep apnea, IBS, and hypertension. The Veteran's appeal is pending further development.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any gastrointestinal disability to include IBS, as well as whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia and TDIU will be remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in adjudicating the issues raised by the Appellant, including her arguments regarding service connection for coccidiomycosis meningitis and other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, IBS, and low back pain characterized by scoliosis, degenerative arthritis of the spine and spinal stenosis. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a current disability related to service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral shoulder pain and bilateral hip pain. The Board found no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new lay testimony relating his disabilities to active duty service.