IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and irritable bowel syndrome. The case is being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis of IBS. Service connection is granted as the condition manifested during his Southwest Asia theater service and qualifies under VA presumptions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 50 percent for migraine headaches has been dismissed.,Her claims for service connection of psychiatric disorder, ovarian cysts, and abdominal and pelvic pain have been reopened due to new evidence received since the final decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, IBS, left shoulder disorder, left foot disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is believed to have developed these conditions during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic gastric condition other than IBS, diverticulosis and hepatitis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of colon polyps, stomach polyps, and H. pylori infection did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service gastrointestinal issues or any service-connected disabilities. For the rating issue, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IBS with diverticulosis and hepatitis was also denied as there were no symptoms that warranted an evaluation above 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hemorrhoids, and IBS have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. Regarding SMC due to need for aid and attendance, the case is remanded as there are factual issues regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for a kidney condition is also denied because the evidence does not show that the Veteran's preexisting kidney issues were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of recent examination evidence for his service-connected IBS. The Board requests that the Veteran be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for loss of sense of smell and taste have been dismissed.,PTSD ratings in excess of 70 percent, GERD rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 30, 2022, and IBS with GERD rating in excess of 30 percent from June 30, 2022 onwards have been denied.,The Veteran's effective date for PTSD service connection has been remanded.,Hearing loss disability ratings have been remanded.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have also been remanded.

The Veteran's IBS and headache condition have been granted service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral median nerve neuropathy, digestive and/or gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), and a left ear disorder (vertigo) as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations regarding her service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left foot pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence from a VA examination, and it will be reviewed by the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder due to lack of evidence meeting specific criteria. The digestive disorder issue is now remanded for further development.,Additional medical literature submitted by the Veteran supports his claims for digestive disorders, including GERD and IBS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted. The cases of low back disability and skin condition of the bilateral feet are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of shrapnel in the legs, a gall bladder condition related to Gulf War Syndrome, and a stomach and gastrointestinal disorder including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied service connection for herpes, finding the evidence did not support a link to active service.,The Board remanded several other claims including tinea versicolor, broken and bitten off left middle finger, right side lower rib contusion residuals, right knee tendonitis, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, left foot disability, back condition, left shoulder disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and respiratory disability.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS, joint pain, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, all of which are considered symptoms of a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI) related to the Veteran's Gulf War service.