IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, a stroke and residual symptoms, a right elbow disorder, and lower extremity neuropathy must be remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's GI disorder and hemorrhoids are found to be proximately due to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The Board has also remanded for additional development regarding the claims of vertigo and sinusitis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited range of motion and pain.,A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiating pain is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IBS was denied as the evidence did not show more or less constant abdominal distress, which is required for a 30 percent rating under DC 7319.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, heart valve replacement with resulting scar, skin melanoma, and IBS (with GERD) effective from June 22, 2022.,An earlier effective date of June 22, 2022, was granted for the grants of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, heart valve replacement with resulting scar, skin melanoma, and IBS (with GERD).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraine headaches is dismissed as the claim has been fully granted.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was denied because there is no evidence of a current gastrointestinal disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to November 30, 2023, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sphincter impairment, a skin rash, left shoulder degenerative arthritis with tendinitis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis have all been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and sinusitis/rhinitis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is pending.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 2016 rating decision denying IBS, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis at that time. For bilateral plantar fasciitis and ankle ligament instability, the claim was denied based on finality of the January 2001 rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough/coughing blood, chronic bronchitis, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations that did not consider relevant in-service treatment records.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as service-connected due to exposure in the Gulf War theater of operations, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under the current criteria. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for severe diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation.

For the period beginning January 3, 2019, a rating of 30 percent for migraine headache disability is granted. An initial 30 percent rating is also granted for IBS.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, which was confirmed by her representative. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's TDIU for PTSD is granted, and he also receives SMC Housebound based on his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to in-service onset of irritable bowel syndrome, residuals of a fractured left hand, cervical spine disorder, traumatic brain injury, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses include hypertension.

The Veteran's increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and PTSD have been denied.,Issues regarding service connection for left ear drum damage residuals and left foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 70% rating effective March 26, 2019. Service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea are also granted, but service connection for IBS is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of IBS due to insufficient information in the medical records and a need for an addendum opinion.