IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2023

The Board has found that the Veteran's skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, are service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, chronic lymphoid leukemia, polycythemia vera, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), erectile dysfunction, and incontinence have been remanded due to the need for further development regarding chemical exposure during service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence has been added to the record and requests a remand for further review of these claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for consideration.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and irritable bowel disease (IBS), finding that the conditions did not have their onset during service and were not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the Board finds that she is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a sleep disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and a disability manifested by thickened saliva have also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, skin disability, and back disability due to missing private treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Service connection was established for right lower sciatic radiculopathy, but not for other conditions due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to toxic substances. Increased ratings were denied for right ear hearing loss, left knee anterior cruciate ligament partial tear, left knee instability, right fibula fracture (claimed as right ankle condition), and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for IBS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a moderate disability with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 14, 2018 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded both the tinnitus and GERD/IBS claims, indicating that evidence not considered in the original decision may be relevant to these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, including IBS-D, diverticulitis, chronic active gastritis, and enlarged spleen, is related to service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and digestive system disability (IBS) are granted service connection. Service connection for sinusitis is denied, and the Veteran's tinea versicolor rating is remanded due to lack of examination addressing flare-ups.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a 50% rating as of July 24, 2018. The remaining issues on appeal (left shoulder condition, right shoulder labral tear with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right knee condition, muscle strain of the bilateral arms, thighs, and calves, reactive airway disease with asthma, and IBS) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 21, 2022. The Board granted a TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD and other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of his claims related to motor neuron disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board will consider the evidence before May 14, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disorder, respiratory disorder, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection as a qualifying chronic disability related to his Gulf War service. The hernia and gallbladder conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea is granted. The claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a right shoulder disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder (dyshidrotic eczema) is remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence was denied. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied, as were the claims for tinea pedis and left knee cystic mass.