IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. The Board also remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral knee arthritis due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for his service-connected IBS, finding that there was no evidence of increased severity prior to September 3, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and IBS, finding that these conditions were aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected alcohol use disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Additionally, the Board has also granted secondary service connection for IBS and GERD as related to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's migraines, bilateral knee condition, lumbar spine disorder to include lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc space narrowing (lumbar strain), IBS, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, muscle rigidity, constipation and IBS, dysphagia, stroke, hydrocephalus, poor balance and postural instability, right bundle branch blockage (RBBB) causing pacemaker, bradykinesia, sleep apnea, and cognitive deficits are all found to be related to his service-connected Parkinson's disease. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for IBS with diverticulitis as secondary to bilateral DVT, but since the appeal is now moot due to the remand, the appeal must be dismissed.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted due to presumed exposure to burn pits. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, skin rash (claimed as a skin disorder), bilateral hand disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral leg disorder, neck disorder (cervicalgia), chronic pain disorder, upper respiratory infection, and bronchitis is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability or service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the conditions are related to his military service, with presumptive service connection established for IBS due to its characteristics of a chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2)(i), and direct service connection for tinnitus as it has existed since service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss to an extent recognized as a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection has been granted for allergic rhinitis. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is directly related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA examination in addressing the Veteran's secondary service connection theory for IBS related to GERD. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS was rated at 30 percent from March 9, 2021. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they were consistent with the current assigned disability level.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, tension headaches, acne, sleep disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right wrist disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, neurological disorders affecting the lower extremities, and foot disorders. The Board found that none of these conditions warranted a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pes planus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. Additional VA opinions are required to address whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to prescribed medications.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and IBS have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea), and migraines. The sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia in both legs were also granted on a secondary basis to their respective service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's IBS was found to have manifested prior to the date VA received his intent to file a claim, leading to an effective date of August 15, 2019 for service connection.

The Board found that the calculation of the combined disability rating from November 5, 2010 to January 26, 2022 was correct at 40 percent. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted as service connected due to her confirmed service in the Persian Gulf and a diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to properly consider the Appellant's claim under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1728 and for obtaining treatment records related to the Veteran's April 7, 2020, care.

The Veteran's IBS with constipation is granted service connection due to it being presumed to have been incurred during her Persian Gulf service. The claim for cervical dysplasia is denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.