IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated at the maximum of 30 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left patellofemoral pain syndrome with meniscal tear has been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are granted service connection based on direct evidence of in-service injury. The respiratory disability is granted service connection due to the PACT Act presumption for Gulf War Veterans exposed to fine particulate matter.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% disabling, making the TDIU issue moot as he is already receiving a total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, left radical orchiectomy for seminoma left testicle, and tinnitus due to a lack of information from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disease, hypertension, gout of the bilateral feet, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and cardiovascular disability. The appeal is not about herbicide exposure or Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and IBS, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's IBS and GERD with hiatal hernia have been rated based on their severity, with the highest available ratings for each condition. The rating for IBS has been granted since December 15, 2008, while a separate rating of 30 percent has been assigned for GERD with hiatal hernia from October 2, 2014, to August 26, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of sleep apnea and hypertension, as well as his claim for TDIU, were granted with an effective date of April 16, 2011. The VA also awarded Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits effective from the same date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as due to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and the medications used to treat it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal cancer, which caused his death, was substantially caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, IBS, and dizziness were denied in February 1984 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Attempts to reopen the claims in June 2018 resulted in a grant of service connection but with an effective date of June 29, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back, psychiatric disabilities, hip, shoulder, knee, and other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete information regarding the qualifications of the VA examiners who provided the examinations. The Veteran and his representative need to be notified about this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and PTSD due to outstanding treatment records and incomplete service treatment records. Additional VA medical opinions are needed regarding the onset of the Veteran's conditions during service and their relationship to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 19, 2015, for his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver disease (to include hepatitis B), gastrointestinal disorder (to include IBS and/or Crohn's disease), low back disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, kidney disease, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions must be remanded to obtain VA examinations.

The Board has found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to March 2, 2020. However, due to his consistent contention of being unable to work since 2011 and the evidence showing he was capable of maintaining substantially gainful employment despite not meeting the schedular requirement, a remand is required to refer the matter to the VA Director of Compensation Services for an extraschedular consideration.

Service connection for hypogonadism is granted, and a 100% rating is granted for PTSD with TBI residuals. The Veteran's service-connected IBS (claimed as diverticulitis) and lumbosacral strain are remanded for further evaluation.