IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted, effective October 16, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial compensable rating for ED. The issues of service connection for right hip disability, bilateral foot disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral tibial fracture, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's headache disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for headaches as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as MST, has been granted due to credible evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS and GERD have been granted. The claim for secondary service connection for GERD as a result of PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on various conditions were dismissed as untimely filed. The appeal for PTSD was dismissed because the NOD/VA Form 10182 was not timely with respect to the January 2020 decision, which established an earlier effective date for PTSD. Appeals for endometriosis and migraines/post-traumatic headaches were also dismissed as untimely filed. The appeal for gastritis with IBS was dismissed because no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the December 2018 rating decision establishing its increased evaluation. An earlier effective date of March 17, 2020 for sinusitis is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each. The GERD and IBS condition has also received an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of IBS.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10% under DC 7346, effective from November 12, 2020. The Board found that the symptoms warrant this rating.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS is rated at 30 percent, the highest rating available under VA guidelines for this condition.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at a maximum of 30 percent, the highest rating available under current VA regulations.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a maximum of 70 percent, reflecting significant impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were remanded due to the need for additional development. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA remain at December 13, 2019.

Entitlement to service connection for migraines, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae is dismissed as these conditions were granted in new claims filed after the initial denial.,Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was previously denied in December 2018 and has not been appealed within the time frame allowed by VA regulations. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, IBS, bilateral hip strain, bilateral ankle disability, right shoulder condition, acid reflux with nausea, rash with pruritus on back and arms, and service-connected PTSD-related HTN are not supported by evidence of a current disability. The Board has also determined that remand is necessary for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and cervicalgia, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with insomnia. The Veteran's skin conditions are currently rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee disorder, manifested by weakness and left shoulder disorder, manifested by loss of motion. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's GERD claim is remanded due to the need for an examination considering potential toxic exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) on a presumptive basis and for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been present since his deployment to Southwest Asia. The decision is based on evidence of chronicity, continuity of symptomatology, and in-service exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection for IBS, back disability, bilateral foot disability, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's IBS was granted a 30% disability rating, and her right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were each granted 20% disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and IBS, both determined to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with nightmare disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and TBI.