IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases of gastrointestinal disorder and sinusitis due to incomplete responses in prior VA opinions.

The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia with irritable bowel syndrome was granted on March 20, 2012. The Board found that the effective date should be March 20, 2012, as it is the later of the date of claim and the date entitlement arose.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including IBS and rectal cancer. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from July 14, 2007 to July 6, 2008. The issues of initial increased ratings for residuals of a head injury with depression and secondary insomnia, fracture and dislocation of the left elbow, and fracture of the left humerus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence from Riverside Chiropractic Center and Dr. Roland Amash.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent rating for his gastrointestinal disability, which was previously reduced to 30 percent. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of January 6, 2005 for her TDIU due to service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation since at least October 2004.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, as well as to consider all relevant evidence since the July 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience prior to June 13, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for chronic sinusitis, or earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The claim for PTSD was granted with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's IBS was denied a compensable evaluation from June 13, 2010 to September 27, 2019.,An increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for IBS since September 27, 2019 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for IBS due to a lack of an examination and the need for further medical opinion regarding whether the condition is related to service, including exposure to burn pits in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for recurrent right shoulder, testicular (epididymitis), and gastrointestinal disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent, effective September 30, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms of daily constipation and abdominal distress with bloating, cramps, and occasional vomiting are accurately reflected by this rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and IBS due to incomplete examinations and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while his IBS claim requires additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, hip conditions, and IBS have been reopened. He is granted separate disability ratings of 20 percent each for left and right knee instability.

The Veteran's IBS was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to October 6, 2015. From October 6, 2015, the maximum schedular rating for IBS has been in effect.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a hiatal hernia as moot because it is encompassed by already service-connected conditions (IBS, hepatitis B, and GERD).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the increase in disability had not occurred within one year before his June 2, 2018 claim.,Effective dates earlier than June 2, 2018, for the awards of service connection or increased ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the relevant period.