IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastritis with GERD, amenorrhea, dysplasia, and a stomach condition (IBS) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected IBS, effective from December 11, 2013. The rating is based on moderate disability with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist condition has been reopened, but the appeal is still pending. The VA is required to obtain an opinion on whether his sleep apnea is related to or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis and if he has any current skin condition. Additionally, the VA must provide examinations for his left wrist condition and lower back condition.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period before December 20, 2015, finding that the Veteran was capable of substantially gainful employment during this time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and alcohol use disorder, was granted. The claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor event. Service connection for primary insomnia, secondary to the acquired psychiatric disorder, is also granted.

Service connection for IBS is granted. A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective July 2020 is granted, but a higher rating for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for migraines prior to March 5, 2018 is denied.,Several service connection claims are remanded due to the overlap with the increased rating claims and need for updated medical examinations.

The Veteran is seeking increased initial ratings for service-connected IBS, right ankle disability, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The May 2003 rating decision establishing these conditions did not become final due to the submission of a notice of disagreement within one year, thus revision on CUE cannot be granted.

The Veteran's IBS was rated at a 30 percent disability rating, the highest available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board found that his symptoms of severe IBS with diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation were consistent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's IBS has been granted presumptive service connection. The right ankle disability is remanded for further development.

The Board granted an effective date of October 14, 2003 for the grant of service connection for IBS. The appeals of other issues were dismissed as having been withdrawn during the hearing.

The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD is dismissed. The claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive system disorder (IBS), respiratory disorder (rhinitis and sarcoidosis), and joint and muscle pain are reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, specifically whether it is related to service or exposure to asbestos and herbicides.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for left wrist, right knee, IBS, migraine headaches, vocal cord dysfunction, and right hip/wrist disabilities are inadequate. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to provide further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his costochondritis and any associated musculoskeletal impairment. The restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for costochondritis, 10th, 11th, and 12th ribs, right, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for IBS and GERD with hiatal hernia and Barrett's syndrome, as well as the claim for migraine headaches. The remand is due to issues related to subjective terminology in the applicable rating criteria and the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome is granted. Service connection for bowel disturbance with abdominal distress as an undiagnosed illness (previously claimed as IBS) and service connection for a low back disability are both remanded.