IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's digestive disorder, including diverticulosis and IBS, is related to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis or any prescribed medications used for a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome as there was no evidence of these conditions during or proximate to the pendency of the claim. The Veteran did not meet the statutory definition of a Persian Gulf veteran, and thus presumptive service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1117(f) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 was not warranted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal of the issues related to left shoulder disability, irritable bowel syndrome, depression with drug abuse, cervical spine disability, and TDIU. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal request.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to inadequate opinions provided in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to insufficient compliance with previous instructions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and TDIU was denied. The initial rating for reversible obstructive airway disease prior to May 25, 2022 is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 6604-6602. For the period from May 25, 2022, the Veteran's disability remains at 30 percent and no higher rating is warranted. The Board also found that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that the evidence does not support a direct link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia with GERD and IBS, as well as his claim for service connection for a heart disability other than sinus bradycardia. The VA will need to obtain additional evidence and conduct further development in these matters.

The Veteran's GERD with erosive esophagitis is rated at 30 percent, effective November 6, 2018. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,From December 19, 2017 to November 5, 2018, the Veteran was granted a separate 30 percent disability rating for IBS.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with fecal incontinence is dismissed as the claim has been fully resolved in his favor.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches. The claim for skin condition (dyshidrotic eczema) was granted with a rating of 70 percent from October 15, 2015.

The Veteran's diagnosed IBS was granted service connection due to its chronicity and manifestation during his service in the Gulf War theater, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis and proctitis are being remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding whether the symptoms of these conditions were initially manifestations of his now confirmed IBS.

The Veteran's hypertension is not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, excluding the lumbar spine, legs, and feet, but including the neck and ribs, are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, jaw disorder, and GI symptoms (IBS and GERD).,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the rating reductions were not proper. The appeals are remanded to further develop evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should have been afforded a VA examination to determine the etiology of his right shoulder condition, hypertension, GERD, and IBS. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include psychiatric, lumbar spine, right knee, IBS, and abdominal pain disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's GERD is presumed service-connected, but there are questions about its etiology and differentiation from IBS.