IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back disability, gastritis, IBS, and migraines due to potential issues with the adequacy of VA examinations and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder related to chronic pain is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities of the back and bilateral knees. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of IBS or any other lower gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's generalized body aches with tender points, bilateral pes planus disability, and degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are all granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current intestinal conditions, including GERD, are related to his service. The left foot disability case is also being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and neuralgia, as well as an initial compensable rating for migraines due to inadequate examination reports.

Service connection for OSA, CFS, and IBS has been granted. The effective dates are February 9, 2014.,The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations is presumed to be related to his diagnoses of CFS and IBS.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities, specifically his claimed irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for IBS, and a temporary total evaluation for hospitalization were denied. The Board also remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral foot, low back, and PTSD disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete evidence. Specifically, an addendum opinion is needed on the Veteran's thoracic spine disability to account for functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and a left foot sprain have been denied, as the evidence does not show current disabilities or a link to service.,For migraines, the Veteran was granted service connection but with a noncompensable rating due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is found to be related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating to 60 percent is denied.,The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is currently rated at 50 percent, but he contends that a higher rating of 100 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, irritable colon syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and sinusitis has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is sufficient to reopen these claims and establish a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and hemorrhoids have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to military service.,Specifically, the VA medical opinions found that the Veteran does not currently have IBS or hemorrhoids, and that any existing conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD and nonallopathic lesions of the left fifth and sixth ribs are rated at 10 percent each, effective from specific dates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since November 5, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU for this period of time but remanded the issue prior to November 5, 2019 due to lack of development.

The Veteran's IBS claim has been granted with a 10 percent rating effective November 24, 2015. The left foot disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's vertigo and right ankle tendonitis have been granted service connection, while the remaining issues are remanded. The Veteran was awarded a 30% disability rating for his right ankle tendonitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for removal of ribs with shortness of breath and left shoulder pain, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the condition was incurred during service.