IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 28, 2014, for service connection for IBS as a Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illness (MUCMI) related to service in the Persian Gulf War. The effective date is based on provisions of the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability evaluations, specifically regarding her gastrointestinal condition and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is granted as it meets the criteria of a Persian Gulf War Veteran and has been diagnosed with IBS, which is considered a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to insufficient compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claims.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service at or near the Korean DMZ. Service connection for prostate cancer is granted.,His overactive bladder and urinary incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all proximately due to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and major depressive disorder (secondary to PTSD) are all granted as service-connected.,An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted from August 14, 2018.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and major depressive disorder (secondary to PTSD) are all granted as service-connected.,An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted from August 14, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional clarification is needed regarding the exact nature of his intestinal disorder, specifically as it relates to the diagnosis of IBS in service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss and granted service connection for GERD as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The claims for IBS, OSA, and increased rating for residuals of fractures of right fibula and right ankle with degenerative and posttraumatic arthritis are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury and for IBS as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than February 26, 2018 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, IBS, a back disability, radiculopathy (sciatic) of the left lower extremity (LLE), and tinnitus are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was denied due to lack of relevant new evidence.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was not granted as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis and their symptoms were attributed to other causes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for dermatosis, chronic sinusitis, and a headache disability have been granted. The Veteran also received increased evaluations for PTSD (70%), fibromyalgia (40%), and irritable bowel syndrome (30%). Bilateral hearing loss was denied.,An effective date of August 6, 2018, has been assigned for the 70% evaluation for PTSD. Effective dates have also been assigned for increased evaluations for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of all issues on appeal, including those related to earlier effective dates and service connection. The RO should consider all evidence associated with the claims file since the October 31, 2019 SOCs and May 27, 2020 SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to failure to report to VA examinations and other procedural issues. The Board has broadened the claims to include Gulf War Syndrome-related conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of cystic adenoid carcinoma residuals due to a grant in full by the RO. The Veteran's IBS is rated at 60 percent since January 12, 2023, but not higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, including as due to herbicide agent exposure and as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with strain, lumbar spine. The case is remanded to determine service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, and his TDIU claim is denied as he has sufficient income from his own business to avoid being considered unemployable.