IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, a headache disorder, and a bilateral shoulder disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent prior to February 24, 2012. A separate 30 percent rating for fecal incontinence due to IBS is granted. The issue of service connection for OSA related to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia (SWA) theater of operations is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, OSA, cervical spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, left ribs contusion, right elbow strain, bilateral hand strain and degenerative arthritis (other than posttraumatic) of the bilateral hands, and low back degenerative disc disease have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rhinitis, sinusitis, sleep apnea, dysentery, rectal bleeding, IBS, cystitis, arthritis, deviated septum with residuals, bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, and a headache disability due to outstanding evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. No new evidence was presented, nor did he file a claim after June 20, 2018.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome prior to September 9, 2021, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, neck disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for PTSD and IBS are granted, with a 70% rating for PTSD effective from January 6, 2017.

The Veteran's IBS, GERD, and headache disabilities are not found to be secondary to her service-connected Hepatitis C or polyarthritis.,Fibromyalgia is diagnosed but the relationship to service-connected conditions remains unclear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for service-connected Irritable Bowel Syndrome, finding that no valid claim was filed prior to June 27, 2014.

The Veteran's costochondritis is granted as secondary to the service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection for pemphigus vulgaris is granted on a direct basis due to continuous symptoms since service.,Right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, vertigo and dizziness are all granted based on relative equipoise of evidence.,Heart disorder (claimed as a heart condition) is granted secondary to the service-connected pemphigus vulgaris.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted due to qualifying chronic disability under Persian Gulf criteria.,Irritable bowel syndrome and dry eye with distorted vision are both granted on a direct basis, while dry mouth is granted as a qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's claims for CFS, Joint/Muscle Pain, and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran's IBS is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) disability is currently rated as 0 percent disabling. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since March 11, 2020. A TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and MDD due to inadequate VA opinions. Further development is required to comply with the May 2021 remand directives.

The Board has received a request from the Veteran to withdraw all appeals regarding his PTSD, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for irritable bowel syndrome, tinnitus, and sinusitis are all granted.,Additional evidence was submitted after the October 2017 SOC. The claims will be remanded to consider this new evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for bladder disability due to withdrawal. The claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory condition, and GERD are all REMANDED due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee meniscus tear and left carpal tunnel syndrome are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The right knee meniscus tear, hysterectomy residuals, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome issues are remanded.