IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the need for regular aid and attendance, as he is capable of performing most activities of daily living with assistance from his informal caretaker.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, GERD, hypertension, and IBS. The diagnoses were established based on current medical records and the Veteran's reports of symptoms during service.,Service connection is granted as there is no conflicting evidence or opinions against these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and a back disability have been granted.,The Veteran's low back disability has been found to be etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of IBS due to untimely filing. The Veteran's migraine headaches were denied an increased rating as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's IBS is related to her service-connected PTSD with panic attacks and MDD with anxious distress, but the VA examiner did not provide a sufficient opinion regarding this relationship. The Board finds that the VA examination was inadequate and remands for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for GERD with IBS is being remanded due to the failure to obtain his VA treatment records from Tricare providers who managed his service-connected conditions during the period at issue.

The appeal for service connection of BPPV is dismissed as moot. The appeals for UI and IBS are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings for allergic rhinitis, IBS with gastritis, migraine headaches, and thyroid disability have all been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on the Veteran's active-duty service. The right knee disability is considered to have been aggravated by military training, while IBS is presumed due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD and IBS as secondary to PTSD due to duty-to-assist errors in prior examinations.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and sinusitis have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction or sinusitis, nor has he been treated for these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches with fatigue, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability, and right knee disability have not been addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease, with Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernia, and irritable bowel syndrome is denied as the maximum schedular available rating has been assigned.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS is granted, as she has a current diagnosis of IBS and served in the Southwest Asia theater during the Gulf War era.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are now rated at 50 percent, effective November 7, 2021.,The Veteran's service-connected IBS is now rated at 30 percent, effective November 7, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, secondary to his service-connected PTSD, was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower radiculopathy with tibialis anterior weakness was also denied as the evidence did not show an increase in severity beyond what is currently rated.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and irritable bowel syndrome with diverticulosis is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination findings and need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities were granted service connection and an increased rating. Other conditions, including IBS, bilateral hip disabilities, left knee disabilities, and hypothyroidism, received increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including right and left wrist disabilities, gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, chest pain, and gallbladder disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for IBS with GERD is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. An effective date earlier than March 17, 2021, for the grant of service connection for IBS with GERD remains denied.