IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment-like disorder and irritable bowel syndrome, is granted service connection. His status post umbilical repair is also granted. However, his irritable bowel syndrome claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety, was denied as the evidence did not show that VA treatment caused his condition.,The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI, gastrointestinal disability (IBS), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, bilateral upper extremity disability, and back disability are all REMANDED due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The VA has restored the appellant's 20% rating for hepatitis C, effective February 29, 2016. The other service connection claims are denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's IBS with hiatal hernia, gastritis and helicobacter pylori is granted a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, finding that his current condition is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for CFS, increased ratings for IBS with GERD and rhinitis, and increased ratings for knee disabilities have been dismissed.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of respiratory disabilities and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals hysterectomy, right knee meniscus tear, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are being remanded due to inadequate opinions in the September 2022 VA opinion.

The Veteran's combined disability ratings throughout the period on appeal equate to 90 percent, meeting the schedular requirement for a TDIU. However, he failed to respond to requests for information regarding his employment history and has inconsistent self-reported employment history.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service and there is no evidence of a nexus to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted as the disability was shown as chronic during a presumptive period and is not attributable to intercurrent causes.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not service-connected as he has not had them at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, acid reflux disability, low back disability, left hip disability (secondary to a low back disability), and right hip disability (secondary to a low back disability) is remanded as there are inextricably intertwined issues with pes planus that need further clarification.,Service connection for pes planus is remanded as the examiner must provide an opinion on whether it was worsened beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and the claim for service connection for GERD must be remanded again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for GERD with IBS, a higher rating for GERD with IBS beginning March 2, 2022, and TDIU due to service-connected conditions prior to July 6, 2017. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical records, conduct further development regarding the Veteran's employment status, and schedule an examination for a gastroenterology specialist.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and increased rating claims related to various conditions, including right hip disorder, heart disorder, IBS, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board dismissed all these claims.

The Veteran's service connection for IBS is granted as it meets the criteria under the presumptive provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for a chronic gastric condition (other than IBS, diverticulosis, and hepatitis) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his digestive system conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, IBS, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and residuals of a neck injury are all denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is remanded due to the absence of a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder other than irritable bowel syndrome and immune deficiencies, to include low vitamin D and B-12 deficiency. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity disability, left knee disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient evidence of improvement in his conditions under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of broken ribs and a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, acute pancreatitis, heart disability, and colonic polyps, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not have chronic or recurrent conditions during service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.