IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for CFS has been dismissed. The Board found that the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.,PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective from October 26, 2021.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a headache disorder and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) secondary to service-connected disabilities due to insufficient development or opinion.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of a compensable rating for residual scarring and HPV infection has been withdrawn.,The claim for an evaluation greater than 10 percent prior to January 29, 2021, for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence of occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to February 24, 2020.,The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied due to the average puretone threshold being at Level II (noncompensable).,Service connection for esophageal disorder and IBS were denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, respiratory disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder were granted.

The Veteran's left hip strain is caused by his service-connected radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The Board finds that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet are caused or aggravated by his service-connected ankles.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The cervical strain and abdominal hernia issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for constipation, tension headaches, left leg disability, right leg disability, and dental/jaw condition (TMJ disorder) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including depression, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, jaw disability, GERD, IBS, and tension headaches. The records will be sought to provide more information on these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were partially denied. The rating in excess of 10 percent for cholecystectomy residuals prior to November 25, 2020, and in excess of 30 percent from that date was denied. A remand is ordered for further examination on the issue of service connection for low back disability.

The Board has granted a maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's headache disability, effective January 24, 2020. The claims for gastrointestinal disorder other than IBS, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for a neurological issue manifested by dizziness is granted as it is considered an undiagnosed Gulf War illness.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and eczema, both presumed to be related to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia. Service connection was denied for left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS was granted service connection on a direct basis, and he is now entitled to a 10% disability rating for his pyrosis (acid reflux) and substernal pain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for GERD. The decision will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's IBS.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War era.,Service connection was denied for hair loss, hiatal hernia, sleep apnea, and IBS as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right rotator cuff strain is granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from June 4, 2020.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and obstructive sleep apnea, sleep hypopnea.,The Board also dismissed the claim of service connection for gastroenteritis. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of gastroenteritis during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and needs to provide a more comprehensive opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed celiac disease.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, GERD, and IBS.