IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot, left foot, and right knee disabilities are related to his service. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions have been diagnosed or if they are due to his service.,The Veteran's OSA claim will be remanded as a VA medical opinion is necessary to address whether it is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne rosacea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted. The increased rating claim for her service-connected status post colostomy and laparotomy is remanded.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection as a presumptive condition related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The issue of service connection for hemorrhoids, including as due to exposure to environmental hazards and secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on IBS with gastroesophageal reflux syndrome and related issues is remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities, including unspecified anxiety disorder, restless leg syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a retrospective assessment of his GERD and IBS symptoms, disregarding medication effects, and clarification on the date of diagnosis for IBS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined schedular evaluation did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for IBS, a sinus/allergy condition with difficulty breathing due to burn pits and toxins in the Gulf, migraines, and a left foot condition. The claim for left ear hearing loss was remanded.,Service connection is not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted in a May 2023 rating decision.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal condition to include gastritis and GERD is denied as the evidence does not support a relationship with active service or toxic exposures.,Service connection for arthritis of the neck is denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current symptoms and military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for chronic back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and tinnitus were granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding aggravation during service.

The Veteran's service connection for IBS is granted, and a 30 percent disability rating for GERD is granted. The right knee disability claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as the result of exposure to toxic substances during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations is granted under the provisions of the PACT Act.,Service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and pes planus with plantar fasciitis claimed as fallen arches.,There is no current diagnosis of IBS, and the Veteran's pes planus and plantar fasciitis are not related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The effective date for the 40% rating assigned for her lumbar spine disability is set at December 1, 2005. Her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are granted higher initial ratings from the date of the March 2023 VA examination report.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS did not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 13, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis and residuals from meniscectomy, left knee strain post patellar realignment, and GERD with IBS have been granted initial 20 percent ratings effective since the date of service discharge.