IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder prior to December 5, 2022 was denied. The Veteran also received an award of TDIU effective May 2, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, left knee chondromalacia patella, and irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of service connection for a hip condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted, with a rating of 10% effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric claims.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and related conditions, which have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has also determined that SMC is not warranted based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the award of a combined 100 percent evaluation. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode and anxious distress due to chronic pain disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, left ear hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS is granted a 30 percent rating, and the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential exposure to toxic substances. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, personnel records, and possibly undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and there is no sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection, while his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains under review and remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is dismissed as moot due to a prior grant of service connection. The claims for increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), high blood pressure (hypertension), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and headaches are all denied. The claim for service connection for flat foot-foot pain (also claimed as foot cramps/spasms of left foot) and knee conditions is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and vocational history prior to October 22, 2015. The case is being remanded for further consideration of a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran is not able to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from February 22, 2017.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 from February 22, 2017 is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome. The remaining issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition, bilateral upper extremity nerve condition, and their secondary relationship are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper and lower gastrointestinal disabilities, including gastritis, GERD, esophagitis, IBS, colon polyps, and diverticulosis, are service-connected as they began during his active service. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptoms and the VA examiner's consideration of these statements.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fatigue, left shoulder pain, right wrist pain, esophageal reflux, sleep disturbances, headaches, lung condition, hypertension, and heart condition are denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar on the left knee and a compensable rating for non-painful scars on the left knee is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for hemorrhoids and TDIU prior to January 26, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS and diverticulitis has been granted an initial 30 percent evaluation, but no higher. The issue of service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal complications, including IBS and GERD, are secondary to his service-connected low back disability.