IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disability, and obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection will be considered based on the presumption of exposure to toxic substances during military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and allergic rhinitis are related to service or environmental exposures during his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's IBS with GERD is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD and sliding hiatal hernia is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher, beginning October 2, 2017. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not rated compensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for GERD, IBS, bladder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disability are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is granted as the evidence shows that he has IBS and it may be related to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for GERD with esophagitis, patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees, and residuals of osteoplasty have been withdrawn. The application to reopen her claim of service connection for breast cancer residuals has been granted, as well as her claim of service connection for IBS.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of irritable bowel syndrome to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for IBS with GERD was denied, and the issue of service connection for a respiratory condition (including chronic cough, COPD, and bronchitis) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for genital herpes comes before the Board on appeal from an August 2015 rating decision that adjudicated a June 2015 increased rating claim. The effective date for the 60 percent rating is granted as of June 16, 2015.,The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue and involuntary leg and arm movements during sleep are remanded due to inadequate opinions provided by VA.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus no further action will be taken on these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, PTSD, and IBS, are at least as likely to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia, IBS (also claimed as diverticulitis), and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Board denied an initial increased disability rating of more than 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Veteran was found to have moderate and frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress, but severe diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress was not shown.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the Veteran's conditions. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, increased ratings for gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and a skin disability are pending.

The Veteran's asthma and migraine headache disability are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disorders are granted service connection as they had their onset on active duty. The claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and right-ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The Veteran's IBS claim has been granted, as well as his tinnitus claim. His GERD claim is pending and will be remanded.,The Veteran's IBS was found to be service-connected due to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. His tinnitus was also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 22, 2017 for the grants of service connection for PTSD, tinea versicolor, and IBS are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for impaired vision (refractive error), neck disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all denied.