IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

Service connection for bruised ribs and deviated septum is denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Effective dates prior to September 4, 2018, for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bile duct cancer, digestive disorder (claimed as acid reflux and IBS), and TMJ due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was granted a 10% rating as of August 25, 2017 and prior to May 17, 2019. Prior to this date, the claim for an initial compensable rating was denied.

The Veteran's IBS disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected IBS.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial rating for PUD with IBS due to concerns about missing medical records from the Veteran's active duty period. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to assess his current disability status.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bump on her head, bipolar disorder, heart condition, and IBS was denied. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,A temporary 100 percent rating for right partial knee replacement from November 27, 2017, to July 18, 2018, was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia, CFS, IBS, and headaches. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and/or ulcerative proctitis is at least as likely as not related to service, including his January 1982 complaint of abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that was diagnosed as acute gastroenteritis.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw his claim for service connection for a skin disability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for IBS and service connection for PTSD are being sent back to the AOJ for further review due to new evidence submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including IBS, has been reopened and granted.,Service connection was also granted for hypertension, but the case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, history of ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome/spastic colon, and recurrent bladder infection for additional development. Service connection is not granted for respiratory asthma.

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is remanded as there has been no medical opinion addressing the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding the Appellant's income and living situation, as well as her need for aid and attendance. The AOJ is required to gather this information and request a medical opinion on when the Appellant began needing aid and attendance.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hip, bilateral shoulder, eczema, athlete's foot, major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder are dismissed. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder on a secondary basis.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, to include IBS, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are attributable to lactose intolerance and not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new and pertinent VA treatment records and VA examinations being added to the claims file. The AOJ is instructed to review these additional documents in the first instance.