IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was granted with a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent effective June 9, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, IBS, tinnitus, left ankle sprain, and right ear hearing loss, do not render him unemployable as his employment history shows he has been able to maintain some level of education and work experience. The Board finds the evidence does not demonstrate total occupational impairment associated with these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not demonstrate that his service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a colon disability and a skin disability, finding that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service exposure or nexus.

The Veteran's initial rating for IBS and GERD is denied, and the issue of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, IBS, GERD, sinusitis, and asthma is remanded. The Veteran's increased ratings for PTSD prior to April 29, 2013 are also denied.

The Board has granted a TDIU, but the Veteran's neck disability and PTSD issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding a proposed reduction in the total schedular rating for service-connected gastrointestinal stromal tumor status post removal with GERD, hiatal hernia, postgastrectomy syndrome, and IBS.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA examination, requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities, including diverticulosis, diverticulitis, abscess, colovaginal fistula, status post laparoscopic sigmoidectomy structural disease, with residuals of epigastric pain, irritable bowel disease (IBS) and scar, are being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of cervical spine fracture, right ankle fracture, fractured ribs, and facial fractures, as they were not incurred in line of duty during active military service.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome did not result in severe disability manifested by diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress during the period from December 18, 2018 to June 12, 2019. Therefore, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow any substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2012. Effective as of that date, he is granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for irritable bowel syndrome, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and uncompleted tasks.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic gastrointestinal illness, to include irritable bowel syndrome, and an increased rating for PTSD due to inadequate examinations and the need for further medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, gastrointestinal disability (IBS), chronic renal disease, back disability, right shoulder disability, high blood pressure, left hip disability, and right hip disability. Service connection was not established for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, chronic feet dryness, and glaucoma. The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral hand, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral elbow disorders are being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder (including IBS and ulcer) is being remanded for a VA examination to address the nature of her condition.,The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder is being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

New and relevant evidence for the claim of service connection for bruxism has been received, and readjudication is proper.,New and relevant evidence for the claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been received, and readjudication is proper.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.