IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The GERD with IBS has not met the criteria for a higher than 10% rating. The retained shrapnel in the left hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur and fractured fourth toe is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo medical evaluations for all claimed conditions.

The appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is dismissed. The appeal as to whether new or material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a dental condition, for compensation purposes, is also dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a ruptured colon to include irritable bowel syndrome are granted with a disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for the period prior to November 26, 2012, and from February 1, 2013. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to September 4, 2009, from November 1, 2009 to March 4, 2010, and from May 1, 2010 for residuals of a left scapula fracture (left shoulder disability) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted, and he is now receiving a 70 percent disability rating. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection as a presumptive condition due to his Gulf War service. His right and left ankle disabilities are granted an initial rating of 10 percent each.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her requests.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal before a decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and conflicting medical evidence. The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, including gastritis, IBS, and acute erosive antral gastritis, is being reviewed for service connection as possibly related to asbestos and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are granted service connection. The Board also remanded the issues of sleep apnea, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, GERD, IBS, migraine headaches, and hypertension for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, a right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and type II diabetes mellitus. The decision is pending further development.

The Board has denied service connection for the residuals of broken ribs, left arm compound fracture, right leg fracture, and right hip disability as there is no current disability to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to PFB, sinusitis, chronic headache disability, left arm disability, fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal disability (IBS) is granted. The claims for service connection for a left ankle disability other than psoriatic arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has withdrawn several issues from the Veteran's appeal, including those related to PTSD, IBS, lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar facet hypertrophy, obstructive sleep apnea, left ankle fracture with residual loose body, tendonitis and left foot talar osteochondral defect, right ankle osteochondral defect status post-surgical repair with history of strain. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim and his claims for service connection for blood clots of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the December 2019 VA examination and because of the Veteran's representative's argument that PTSD medications have caused or aggravated her gastrointestinal disorder. The case is now being returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a clarifying VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities and their relationship to his current conditions. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, including from September 2021 onwards, and provide a new opinion on whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been granted. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion evidence regarding the etiology of IBS.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at 30 percent since November 27, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated severe IBS, including diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress.