IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and traumatic brain injury due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain private treatment records from Uvalde Family Practice Association and Dr. S. H. after 2019.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for diverticulitis with irritable bowel syndrome.,Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, but granted for fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, skin disorder, and IBS due to incomplete STRs and lack of confirmation of Southwest Asia service. A VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, right hip pain, left hip pain, and a left knee condition are being remanded due to procedural issues with the initial Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The issue of service connection for respiratory difficulties as due to Gulf War syndrome has been withdrawn by the Veteran through his authorized representative.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a functional gastrointestinal disorder, is granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for hernia (claimed as abdominal discomfort) as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, incontinence, dermatitis, and IBS have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service or is otherwise related to his in-service noise exposure.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as secondary to the service-connected major depressive disorder, is granted. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome must be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with the remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia disability, TDIU prior to January 27, 2010, and SMC based on aid and attendance. The case is being returned to the AOJ for these matters.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated as 30 percent disabling from May 25, 2022. The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for the period before May 25, 2022.,For the pendency of the appeal, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS are not met.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating for DM II, service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DM II, and service connection for IBS as secondary to PTSD or medication taken for DM II due to incomplete records and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including obtaining service treatment records and addressing the Veteran's exposure claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete Reserve service records and unobtained deck logs from the USS Dixie. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a skin disorder, sleep disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder due to potential secondary relationships with service-connected type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and bilateral lower extremity meralgia paraesthetica due to insufficient medical opinions addressing their etiology.,Effective dates earlier than specified in the decision are not warranted for the grants of service connection for tinnitus, fibromyalgia, IBS, dermatitis and lipomas, vasomotor rhinitis, and PTSD/CFS.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for IBS prior to June 19, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter has been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for left hip arthritis, groin disorder manifested by pain, and tinnitus. The Veteran is awaiting additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his reduced sense of smell, obstructive sleep apnea, and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, CFS, IBS, and a psychiatric disability to include PTSD due to unclear etiology and lack of conclusive pathophysiology or etiology. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the issue of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability other than IBS, to include GERD, needs further development and is therefore remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder of the ribs on the right side is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.