IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The issue of reopening the respiratory disability claim is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 15, 2014. The right hip disorder and related compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claims are being remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, chronic diarrhea (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome), and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of ligation and reimplantation of aberrant right subclavian artery has been reopened, but the appeal is remanded due to unclear determination regarding whether the condition existed prior to service. The Veteran's GERD with dyspepsia, IBS, sleep disturbance, hiatal hernia, and fundoplication claim remains in dispute and is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted at a rating of 70 percent, effective June 16, 2013. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia due to new evidence indicating possible exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and substance abuse disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders. The heart disorder and IBS claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and tinnitus are reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to support these claims, but the cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and hemorrhoids as secondary to service-connected IBS, but denied service connection for a gallbladder polyp due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for esophageal disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sinusitis, heart condition, mini-stroke, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and keloid of the chest. The appeals are not about service connection but rather to revise a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is now rated at 30 percent, effective July 24, 2012. Service connection for PTSD remains denied, but an earlier effective date of July 24, 2012 has been granted.,The Veteran's IBS was found to be severe and manifested by diarrhea with more or less constant abdominal distress. The earlier effective dates for both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and PTSD have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of broken ribs due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 12, 2007 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), to include on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities other than irritable bowel syndrome, including diverticulitis and diverticulosis with residuals of sigmoidectomy, is granted. The appeal for increased evaluation for lupus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal. The issues regarding right knee and left knee evaluations are remanded.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a separate disability rating for impairment of sphincter control, and his current 30 percent rating adequately compensates for his IBS with GERD.,The Veteran's 30 percent rating for IBS with GERD from April 3, 2014 is adequate as it considers the predominant disability picture. The Board acknowledges that his GERD symptoms are not contemplated by DC 7319.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and effective dates of March 7, 2000 were assigned. The appeals related to right knee DJD, hypertension, IBS with GERD, hemorrhoids, and status post fracture of the proximal ribs. Service connection was denied for prostatitis and/or residuals of such, collapsed lung and/or residuals of a collapsed lung, and dental disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, IBS, sinusitis, bronchitis, chronic headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have all been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.