IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and tinnitus have been granted. The effective dates are set at May 16, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, bladder disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder due to a lack of VA examiner opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service. The Veteran served in Iraq during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, IBS, and Respiratory Disorder due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to lack of a VA medical opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran asserts that his sleep apnea started in service, was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, anxiety, and/or migraine, while his IBS symptoms began during service and have worsened since.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection has also been granted for IBS, with the presumption of exposure to Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including whether his current conditions are related to active service or secondary to a pre-existing condition. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was granted an effective date of March 20, 2013. The Veteran's service connection for irregular heartbeat and chest pain was denied as there is no evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted service connection. Service connection for hyperdermatographism, right Achilles tendinitis, left Achilles tendinitis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and CFS have been granted. The decision also remanded the claims for PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and remanded the gastrointestinal/gastroesophageal disorders claim.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with anxious distress, as well as IBS secondary to service-connected PTSD, have been granted.,Service connection has been established for PTSD and MDD with anxious distress due to direct evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service. Service connection for IBS is based on its secondary relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's initial ratings for fibromyalgia and IBS have been granted. The claim for a migraine headache disability remains pending, requiring further examination to determine the nature of any such disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and GERD, finding no evidence of such condition during service or that it is related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability. The Board also found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to noise in service, thus denying presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a gastrointestinal disability as secondary to PTSD, and service connection for a headache disability as secondary to PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is denied, and the issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and a 30 percent disability rating, effective July 3, 2018.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was also granted with a 30 percent disability rating from July 3, 2018.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for service-connected IBS and at least a 30 percent rating for service-connected headache disorder throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for IBS, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart valve disorder, and bilateral leg pain. The claims are now remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible link between these conditions and the Veteran's presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune.