IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for IBS and service connection for CFS. The VA will obtain updated VA treatment records, provide an opportunity for a VA examination regarding IBS, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if her fatigue and soreness are related to an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI.

Service connection for PTSD and IBS as secondary to PTSD is granted, with an effective date of July 24, 2020. The Veteran's earlier effective dates for other conditions are also granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for PTSD. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is reopened, but remanded for additional examination and opinion. The claims for IBS, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, IBS, decreased mobility of the abdomen condition, and service connection for ventral hernia. The effective date for the 20% disability rating for ventral hernia is granted as November 3, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS did not prevent her from maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 30, 2015.

The Board has denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an irregular heartbeat, and the claims of service connection for asthma, allergies, and migraine headaches are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if she was eligible for concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation, which would affect the withholding of her VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's right wrist and hand disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and diverticulitis were denied service connection as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service, including exposure to environmental hazards.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for a disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for painful scars from thoracotomy and lobectomy prior to June 28, 2016. The appeal is denied for entitlement to a disability rating greater than 20 percent for these scars after June 28, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and myofascial pain syndrome were denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or that any diagnosed condition began during service.,Service connection was not granted for IBS because the evidence does not support a finding that it began in service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran's symptoms are more likely attributable to her GERD and stress rather than service.,The Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome claim was denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or that any diagnosed condition began during service. The examiner found significant overlap in the location of pain symptoms between the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome and her service-connected thoracolumbar sprain with radiculopathy to the left lower extremity, right knee strain, and left knee strain.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board found no evidence of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,Service connection for IBS, GERD, diverticulitis, rosacea, fungal infection, and polyps under arms, groin and mouth was denied as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability (depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder), and migraine headache disability. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The low back condition is denied as not related to service, while bowel disability and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a diagnosed disability.,Service connection for IBS is also denied, as the Veteran has no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's right knee condition is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's deviated septum claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his migraine headaches and whether he requires aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including a rating for IBS with GERD and left foot contusion. The decision also notes that further examination is needed for right hand tendonitis and left knee disability.