IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The claim for service connection of IBS has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection of PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, depression, GAD, anxiety, and TMJ are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for IBS was denied. A subsequent increase to a 30 percent rating effective November 2, 2021, has been granted.,Service connection for tinea pedis and right shoulder condition were both denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sinusitis was denied. The claims for increased ratings of IBS, allergic rhinitis, left eye erosion syndrome with residual corneal abrasion, and lumbosacral strain with DJD and IVDS were also denied. The Veteran's radiculopathy conditions (right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, left upper extremity) were rated at 20 percent prior to May 29, 2013, but not higher after that date. His cervical spine conditions and thoracic spine surgical scar were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer, claimed as the result of exposure to Persian Gulf War environmental hazards. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for IBS, fibromyalgia, and CFS.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's IBS disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability or any other claimed condition related to service. The Veteran's testimony regarding his right shoulder pain does not meet the threshold requirement for establishing a present disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and chronic sinusitis are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, right foot peripheral neuropathy, and left foot peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued to the present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an improper notice of disagreement form, and a statement of the case must be issued.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including dislocated semilunar cartilage, is granted a separate 10% rating.,Service connection for IBS as secondary to service-connected anxiety disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its relationship to service, as well as any aggravation by his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 50 percent, but no higher. Other claims related to PTSD and other conditions are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his employment, which precludes him from meeting the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for various conditions, and a TDIU. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD since August 12, 2016, but remanded other issues including service connection for DM2 and HTN, IBS, CFS, fibromyalgia, and OSA.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal condition (IBS), PTSD with depressive disorder, GERD, migraine headaches, and chronic lumbar strain due to inadequate analysis of evidence in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals on multiple issues, including service connection and increased rating claims. The Board dismissed the appeal due to these withdrawals.

The Veteran's service-connected retinopathy is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, but a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 23, 2019, remains denied. The Veteran received an increased 30 percent rating for IBS with diverticulitis effective May 11, 2017.

The Veteran's IBS and GERD are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum allowed. A separate 60 percent rating for impairment of sphincter control has been granted. However, his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.