IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2020

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 10 percent disability rating prior to February 16, 2018. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, COPD, gastroesophageal reflux disease/Barrett's Syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hypertension have been denied. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to secondary service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are best described by Diagnostic Code 7319 and do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, thoracolumbar spine strain, and IBS require additional development due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, but his IBS remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits request is remanded due to the need for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current service-connected disabilities and proposed career change. The AOJ must also obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and evidence of attempts at employment in criminal justice or related careers.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection, while the claims for colon resection, gastroesophageal reflux disease, right wrist condition, right knee condition, low back condition, bilateral foot condition, and ingrown toenails are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a rib injury due to new evidence and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran is a Persian Gulf War veteran and if that finding would entitle him to presumptive service connection for IBS under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to report for a VA examination and also because of the need to verify radiation exposure and obtain additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia and related secondary claims, as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's IBS was denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the period prior to October 25, 2019, and a higher than 30 percent rating from that date forward.,The Veteran's right CTS was denied an initial compensable rating for the period prior to February 27, 2019, and a higher than 10 percent rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted for IBS and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The remaining claims have been remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and hiatal hernia, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted as these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.,The claims for cholecystectomy residuals and a colon disorder other than IBS are denied as there is no evidence of any such condition during the period of the claim.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for IBS and remanded the claim for an increased rating. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also being remanded due to new SSA records.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 10, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was granted for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. Service connection is also established for fibromyalgia, a disability manifested by a loss of vision, bursitis of the left hip, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cholecystitis status post cholecystectomy, Sjogren’s disease, and Raynaud’s syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS was granted. The claims for sleep apnea and gastrointestinal disorder (other than IBS) were denied.