IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the appropriate effective dates were determined to be later than the dates of receipt of her claims or the date entitlement arose.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to a failure to obtain all relevant medical records and provide an opinion on whether IBS is related to in-service exposure or events.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Effective January 23, 2019, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, rated as 100 percent disabling, did not cause an impairment in her ability to obtain, maintain, or retain suitable employment. The Board denied VR&E services due to the Veteran's current employability and lack of demonstrated employment handicap.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia with intermittent chest pains and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7346.,Entitlement to increased ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy remains denied.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss originated in service.

The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status, but denied the claim for SMC based on regular aid and attendance due to lack of service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error involving VA treatment records from the University of Colorado Health Internal Medicine Clinic in Printers Park.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and rhinitis.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for a higher rating for IBS.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gastrointestinal condition and IBS due to insufficient evidence in the form of a VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms will be considered, but the credibility of these statements is not addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and providing an adequate VA nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's IBS is secondary to his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to consider additional medical records from his Social Security Administration (SSA). The Board cannot proceed without these records.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran's service-connected extensive abdominopelvic adhesive disease is found to be related to her FSAD, IBS, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. The claim for ovarian cancer secondary to the service-connected condition was also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as it is considered a 'but-for' cause of his current condition due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), finding that it is related to medications taken to treat his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including Achilles tendon disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral carpal tunnel disability, bilateral hip and thigh disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, cervical spine disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rhinitis/sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and groin disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.,The Veteran did not provide sufficient information in his claims for the Board to determine if there were any presumptive exposures or other theories of service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the February 2020 rating decision that granted service connection for IBS and cholecystectomy, combined with a noncompensable rating for GERD.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100 percent rating for Crohn's disease with irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic constipation with anemia effective July 1, 2020 after finding that the reduction to a 60 percent rating was improper due to procedural errors.