IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the November 2019 VA examination, specifically regarding secondary service connection for GERD and Migraine Headaches. The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The 100% rating for PTSD with OCD prior to July 16, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment at that time. The GERD and IBS claim had no factual basis for a higher rating or earlier effective date within one year of the claims period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected IBS, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7319.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease with angina is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and persistent fistula are both rated at 30 percent, effective March 7, 2022.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids as secondary to PTSD due to a withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset in or are otherwise etiologically related to his active duty service.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims for service connection and compensable ratings are not before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastrointestinal condition, skin disability, and traumatic brain injury were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Service connection was not granted due to the absence of a current diagnosis in the record.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's IBS is related to his service, specifically his exposure to toxic substances during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral foot disability, left knee and hip disabilities, right shoulder disability, IBS, and headaches. The reasons provided include lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for IBS and right 5th toe disability, as well as the claim for TDIU due to PTSD. The Veteran did not have a current disability of IBS or right 5th toe at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's IBS, GERD, and migraines are all found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU based on his self-employment in a protected environment.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) has also been dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including obtaining service records and VA examinations for the Veteran's hearing loss, stomach disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed herbicide exposure. Hearing loss of the left ear and hypertension are both granted as presumptive conditions related to service in Vietnam. Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (IBS) and ischemic heart disease are denied, with no current evidence linking these conditions to service or confirmed herbicide exposure. Erectile dysfunction is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, non-allergic rhinitis, IBS, and tension headaches have been granted. The rating for the unspecified depressive disorder is 50 percent, while the ratings for non-allergic rhinitis (presumptive), IBS (presumptive), and tension headaches are each 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow condition, stomach problems (IBS), and UTI. The claim of service connection for sciatica is pending and requires further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach problems/IBS as a qualifying chronic disability due to Persian Gulf War service was dismissed because she did not have qualifying service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, IBS, and Migraine Headaches due to potential Gulf War exposure. The TDIU claim is also part-and-parcel of this appeal.