IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's vision disorder and its relationship to her rib and tendon disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of IBS and scars of the left lower extremity, residuals of sebaceous cyst removal, are being remanded due to insufficient development. The Board also finds that his claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities is dismissed as he now has a combined rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, PTSD, hypoesthesia of the lateral third of the left lower lip, lumbar strain, irritable bowel syndrome, dermatitis, and bilateral tinnitus are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10% rating for each condition.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the rating decisions regarding service connection for IBS, low back disability, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and IBS are granted on a direct basis. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination to determine if she has qualifying chronic disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, including fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted based on its onset during service with continuous symptomatology. Service connection for IBS is granted as it is presumed to be related to the Veteran's Southwest Asia service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and tinnitus due to new evidence received after the April 2020 decision.,Service connection is granted for sinusitis. The Veteran's back disorder and left hip disorder are not found to be related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The issue of service connection for IBS is remanded due to the need for a TERA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for IBS, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a GI disorder (IBS) and migraine headaches have been granted due to the submission of new evidence. The decision is pending further clarification from medical experts regarding causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent from March 5, 2019. Service connection for impairment of sphincter control secondary to service-connected IBS is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a gastrointestinal disability, including gastritis and/or hiatal hernia, to be evaluated due to his failure to appear for a VA examination. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is related to honorable service or proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The RO should request the Veteran's in-service clinical records, verify his periods of active duty for training or inactive duty for training, and obtain VA medical opinions to address whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for IBS and gastrointestinal disability due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's participation in a TERA is not discussed, and his lay statements regarding symptom onset are considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, stomach disability (IBS and acid reflux), and anemia.

The Board has remanded the claims for bowel obstruction adhesions, IBS, and pulmonary issues due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation. The Veteran is asked to provide consent for VA treatment records from 2001 onwards and a new medical opinion on the causes of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, sciatic nerve disability of the RLE, neck disability, and IBS due to duty-related injuries during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of head injury, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for stomach problems is granted. The Board remands the case due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of his gastrointestinal disorders, particularly IBS.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ankle condition is dismissed.,An effective date prior to September 14, 2018, for the grant of service connection for IBS is denied.,The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome are reopened. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and respiratory condition are remanded.