IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected IBS, PTSD, or both.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. The claims for hypertension and sleep apnea are remanded, as well as the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain with lumbosacral degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS with diverticulitis is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of alternating diarrhea and constipation more nearly approximated constant abdominal distress.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was denied because there was no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment for IBS at the time he filed his initial claim in September 2015. The first indication of a claim for IBS came in December 2016, and it was granted based on a diagnosis made in August 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically whether they can be classified as residuals of organic disease or injury, and their impact on locomotion.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorder (to include irritable bowel syndrome), heart disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's low back, right ankle, left ankle, migraine headaches, left wrist, and left foot disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for amenorrhea and dysplasia is remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claims for temporary 100 percent evaluations for bilateral knee disabilities, service connection for various conditions, and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Claims to reopen service connection for right Achilles' tendonitis, right hand condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, left ankle condition, left ring finger fracture, bilateral testicular pain, scar of the right occipital temporal area, left arm scar, seborrheic keratosis, fibromyalgia, IBS, diabetes mellitus, left elbow condition, gum damage and missing teeth, bilateral dry eyes, hyperlipidemia, and right elbow condition have been dismissed.,Claims for higher initial ratings and effective dates prior to July 6, 2018 for service connection of cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The claims for revision based on CUE in the reduction of ratings for left shoulder sprain with degenerative changes, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current ankle and foot conditions are not related to his active service, and arthritis is not shown to be related to his service. The right knee condition and gastrointestinal condition (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) need further examination.,Further medical opinions are needed regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, TBI with vertigo and dizziness, CFS, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran will be provided new VA examinations to clarify his diagnoses and determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including back disability and IBS. The case is being returned for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, an upper gastrointestinal disorder, fibromyalgia, and a low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous examinations. The Veteran's sexual assault and gastroenteritis are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and occasional fecal incontinence is now rated at 30% since September 6, 2018. His bladder sphincter impairment is now rated at 60% since the same date.

Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for asthma is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.,Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disability (IBS) is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the condition is already in effect.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, with a current diagnosis and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and sarcoidosis as they are considered presumptive conditions related to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran meets the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating greater than 30 percent for migraines and her claim for TDIU, finding that her service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's neuroendocrine tumor is related to his service-connected Crohn's disease with Irritable Bowel Disease (IBS), but needs further clarification from a medical expert regarding the relationship.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal disorders (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome and gastritis) to include as secondary to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.