IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, an upper respiratory disability, a right wrist disability, a gastrointestinal disability other than IBS, obstructive sleep apnea, and a right hip strain. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and other conditions such as narcolepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sinusitis, tension headaches, right shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, lower back strain, cervical neck strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, right 4th metacarpal fracture with scar, allergic rhinitis, shin splints of the left and right lower extremities, right eye strabismus, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to August 13, 2019.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted.,Service connection for left hip disability and right hip disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Gulf War Syndrome-like disability, including irritable bowel syndrome and headaches, as well as her claim related to respiratory issues due to military vaccines, were denied. Her obstructive sleep apnea claim is considered outside the Board's appellate purview.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for cardiovascular conditions (hypertensive heart disease and sinus tachycardia) and gastrointestinal condition (irritable bowel syndrome) are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by gastrointestinal problems, including GERD, IBS, and gastritis. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during his active military service or are related to an in-service injury or disease, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a tick bite, other than headaches is granted. The claim for TDIU prior to February 10, 2016 is denied. The claims for service connection for IBS and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability and his service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness or other in-service toxic exposures. The examiner is asked to consider all applicable military deployments and service and conduct a synergistic and combined effect analysis of all toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's nasal condition/allergies are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection for IBS, umbilical hernia, hemorrhoids, and gallstones is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

Service connection is granted for a lung disability, diagnosed as reactive airway disease.,Service connection is granted for Barrett's esophagus.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's duty status and treatment records. The issues include allergic rhinitis, avitaminosis (secondary to IBS), dermoid cyst, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, left tympanoplasty, a back disability, and migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition, IBS, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was granted with an effective date of June 2, 2014. The original claim was for Gulf War CMI which included diarrhea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including lack of current diagnoses and medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxic substances during service.

The Veteran's TDIU due to PTSD alone is granted from June 1, 2015. SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(2) is granted from June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's initial rating for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was granted at a 70 percent level. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for chronic left leg pain, chronic right leg pain, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS with hemochromatosis is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected gastrointestinal and liver disabilities, including any associated heart disorder.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum allowed under DC 7319. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms are already compensated for by his current rating.