IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, left index finger condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as insomnia, anxiety, and depression), IBS, and DM II.,The Veteran did not provide evidence of current disabilities at the time of the September 2020 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the condition meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under the Honoring Our Brave Veterans Act of 2022 (PACT Act). The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is considered a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI) and has manifested to at least a 10 percent degree since his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship with his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the October 2017 Board remand. The Veteran's last known mailing address and phone number have been updated, and VA examinations are scheduled for various disabilities.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was remanded due to the need for caregiver training and assessments, as well as a potential extension of the initial assessment period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and heart condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals. The claims for constipation/irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome) and tinnitus are being readjudicated.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to a period of active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diverticulitis) has been remanded due to lack of adjudication on this issue.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent, the maximum allowed under DC 7319. The lumbosacral strain remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining supplemental opinions from VA medical professionals to address whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or knee disabilities caused or aggravated his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as she had not met the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 15, 2011.,The Veteran's SMC claims were also denied as she did not meet the statutory housebound status criteria prior to April 29, 2014 or between June 1, 2014 and August 26, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's long-term smoking habit and exposure to asbestos during military service are at least in approximate balance as a nexus between his condition and service. The other claims of service connection were denied.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted.,Service connection for diverticulitis with surgical scar and hemicolectomy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating from November 13, 2017 to May 31, 2022. The Board is remanding the issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU rating for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected IBS was denied as the symptoms were considered mild overall, with occasional episodes of abdominal distress and diarrhea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection for IBS was not granted, while the Veteran's left hand arthritis, long finger arthritis, thumb arthritis, strictureplasty scar, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella all remained at noncompensable levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there is no evidence of a gastrointestinal or gastroesophageal disorder during service, and any current disorders are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the IBS rating has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent effective November 15, 2019. The claim for a TDIU was raised and granted as of August 17, 2020. An earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's left heel spur is granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection.,The Veteran's low back disability (spondylosis) is granted service connection.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied.