IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hemorrhoids and diverticulosis are caused or aggravated by his service-connected IBS. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate to address the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals for gastrointestinal issues, irritable bowel syndrome, left wrist fracture disability rating, bilateral hearing loss disability rating, and TDIU have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for atopic dermatitis (claimed as skin condition), erectile dysfunction, and Acquired Leg Length Discrepancy.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating of his hearing loss, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and an undiagnosed illness. The remaining issues of service connection for a disability manifested by sleep impairment (including sleep apnea and insomnia), right shoulder disability (supraspinatus tendon injury and rotator cuff injury), low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU, increased ratings for cervical spine disability, lupus discoid, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for cystic adenoid carcinoma residuals are reopened due to new and material evidence. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cystic adenoid carcinoma and her irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded several service connection and rating claims due to the need for additional medical opinions, treatment records, and consideration of the Veteran's testimony.

The appeal of the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent disability rating for muscle strain with low back pain and segmentation error (back disability) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Chronic sinusitis, corneal scars, IBS, and hemorrhoids are found to be related to her active service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, insomnia, IBS, and memory loss as the evidence of record did not show a current disability causally related to active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right groin strain, IBS, and bilateral knee disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected status post gallbladder enunculation with GERD, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's IBS and GERD pre-existed service or were aggravated by it. The VA examinations conducted in April 2022 did not provide sufficient clarity on these issues, necessitating further investigation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for impaired fasting glucose, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cataracts, vitreous degeneration, right knee disability, left foot and right foot plantar fasciitis, IBS, diverticulosis, cholelithiasis, inguinal hernia, prostate enlargement, hypertrophy of the prostate, kidney cyst, microscopic hematuria, thick walled bladder, esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and stricture and stenosis of esophagus have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by evidence showing a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of IBS, finding that the claim did not arise within one year after separation from service or prior to May 21, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for alopecia has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus and athlete's foot (tinea pedis).,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and IBS are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, Asthma, Fatigue, Headache Disability, Skin Disorder, and Sleep Impairment Disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for myocardial infarction and gastrointestinal disability, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her heart condition and IBS, which she contends are related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder is granted a 70 percent rating effective November 26, 2009. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains pending.