IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right leg conditions, have resulted in a permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) benefits based on this finding.

Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), gastrointestinal disorder disability other than GERD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with vertigo and dizziness are remanded.

The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is dismissed.,Service connection for eczema has been granted, effective February 18, 2022.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal of service connection for left ear hearing loss. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine condition, but the claims for headaches, IBS, a left knee condition, and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve pain are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and IBS were denied. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately reflected her symptoms.,Service connection was granted for sinusitis, but not for headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a sternum disorder, colonic diverticulitis, lumbar spine disability, and tinnitus have been granted. The sternum disorder claim was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection has been established for the other conditions as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal and gastroesophageal disorders due to inconsistencies in a previous VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The rash claim is remanded.,Service connection has not been established for irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy (presumptive due to Agent Orange exposure), or rash (secondary to herbicide agent exposure).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no evidence of current disabilities due to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's impairment of rectal sphincter control and chronic gastritis with IBS due to H. pylori have been granted increased ratings, but the issue of entitlement to a TDIU during this period is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, nasal disability, broken ribs, and right knee disability have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for the cause of his death has been remanded to determine if any of the conditions causing or contributing to his death were related to service.

The Veteran's left knee, low back, and right hip disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.,Service connection has been granted for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), both deemed presumptively due to Southwest Asia service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture to midshaft right metacarpal. The remaining issues, including hepatitis B, chronic digestive disability, IBS, and polyp removal, are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other health issues, due to the appellant withdrawing her appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, chronic headaches, left ear hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, middle back disability, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to incomplete records from his National Guard service.

The appeal with respect to an earlier effective date for a rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is dismissed. The Veteran's duodenal ulcer, IBS, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining updated VA treatment records and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for left hand tendonitis, right hand tendonitis, swelling of extremities, irritable bowel syndrome, and restless leg/periodic limb movement disorder as these conditions are not shown to be related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition and respiratory disability are granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during his Southwest Asia service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS, GERD and gastritis, has been granted. The Board dismissed the appeal as moot because the benefits sought have already been granted.