IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and further development is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hemorrhoids. The decision found that there is no current diagnosis of gastroenteritis or IBS, and that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent.,The Veteran's combined psychiatric disorders are currently rated at 30 percent, and there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine and irritable bowel syndrome have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted from September 13, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any gastrointestinal disability, including IBS. The Veteran's service records show complaints related to stomach or intestinal trouble during active duty and National Guard service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD with TBI (PTSD) have been granted. The effective date for these grants is February 9, 2017. Additionally, the Veteran's claim of service connection for IBS has also been granted, but an earlier effective date was not awarded due to lack of evidence prior to February 9, 2017. The reduction in rating for sinusitis from 10% to zero percent effective June 23, 2021 is upheld.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations, lack of notification of private treatment records, and incomplete information regarding stressors. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional details about his claimed stressors and complete forms for obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied as he does not have an employment handicap and is therefore not in need of rehabilitation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her reported exposures at Fort McClellan (FTMC) during service. The claims are related to multiple conditions including chronic hepatitis A, compromised immune system, heart condition, irritable bowel syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and fibromyalgia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the September 2019 VA examination report, which did not address whether the Veteran's IBS was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The case is now being sent back for an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal/stomach condition, including IBS and appendicitis residuals.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome and GERD was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and depression was granted, as new and material evidence had been submitted since the October 2012 final rating decision.

The Veteran's Personality Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorders are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection for Gastrointestinal Disorder (IBS) and Hypertension is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disability, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active service, including as secondary to his service-connected IBS.

The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to incomplete information and clarification of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, bruised ribs and right kidney disorder, pain in eyes to include seeing floaters, tinnitus, poor blood circulation (hands & feet blotchy), migraine headaches, and bilateral hand tremors are all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for IBS and GERD have been denied as they are not service-connected.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD and fibromyalgia is granted effective February 23, 2011. The claims for increased evaluations of hemorrhoids, fibromyalgia, and PTSD are withdrawn. Service connection for vertigo, arthralgia, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bruxism, IBS, GERD, and rectal sphincter impairment is remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, right ankle degenerative joint disease, bilateral degenerative joint disease of the hands, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD) have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's IBS, ED, and migraines have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also received a 50% rating for his migraines.