IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2022

The Veteran's asthma is granted on a presumptive basis due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The issues for sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability are remanded as they may be related to her service-connected hypothyroidism (previously rated as Grave's disease). The Veteran's IBS and dry eye syndrome are also remanded for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the increased rating claims for further evidentiary development due to missing VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) due to a lack of clarity in the evidence regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring him to rely on assistive devices for mobility. The Board has granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pruritis ani and associated diarrhea (IBS) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current symptoms of these conditions and established a link to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 31, 2018. The appeal for higher ratings for IBS and PFB was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals prior to the Board decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of IBS, right-hand disability, skin condition, or low back disability and therefore denied her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are granted with a noncompensable rating from July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 and a 30 percent rating from September 30, 2014 to November 22, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's IBS, which is presumed to be related to exposure to burn pits during service in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's IBS and chronic fatigue due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations have been granted service connection.,A rating for each condition has not yet been assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for abdominal scar, post vagotomy; a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of duodenal ulcer, post vagotomy with irritable bowel syndrome; a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss; and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. Additionally, the TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's allergic rhinitis during changing seasons.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is related to her service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's GERD with IBS is not manifest by symptoms of material weight loss, hematemesis, or melena with moderate anemia, nor have her other symptoms been shown to constitute severe impairment of health. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD with IBS is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, with the Board finding that the symptoms more nearly approximated a compensable level of severity during the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastrointestinal, sleep apnea, fatigue, and involuntary leg/arm movements during sleep disabilities. The issues are being remanded to obtain new opinions addressing both direct and secondary service connection theories.

The Board granted an extension of the delimiting period for DEA benefits due to a physical disability preventing initiation or completion of education program, which lasted from June 5, 2012, to October 10, 2016.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was found to have started during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as Crohn's disease) is remanded.

The Veteran's IBS with Gilbert's syndrome is granted a 30 percent rating, effective April 30, 2018. The condition warrants this rating as it manifests in alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her GERD and IBS is remanded due to the possibility of worsening symptoms.