IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, left foot, left wrist, and right wrist conditions.,Service connection is denied for migraine headaches, stomach pains (gastritis), nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at or above 60 percent. The Board granted SMC at the housebound rate based on his service-connected conditions. However, the claim for SMC(k) related to erectile dysfunction caused by medication for major depressive disorder was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a disability rating of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is March 6, 2021. The evidence does not show severe symptoms of IBS resulting in diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress prior to this date.

The Veteran's IBS is rated as noncompensable, and the right tibia stress fracture residuals are also rated as noncompensable. Service connection for stress fractures of both tibias was denied due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's numbness/tingling conditions were not found to be service-connected, and his heartburn condition is also denied.,The Veteran's right tibia stress fracture residuals are rated as noncompensable, and the left tibia stress fracture does not have a current diagnosis. Service connection for right lower extremity numbness/tingling and left lower extremity numbness/tingling was denied due to lack of current diagnoses. The service-connected heartburn condition is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 1, 2020 for a 30 percent rating for service-connected IBS due to lack of credible evidence of severe symptoms prior to August 11, 2021.

The Veteran's initial rating for IBS with GERD from September 6, 2019 to January 14, 2020 was denied as the evidence demonstrated actual improvement in his disability. The Veteran's tension headaches were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, IBS, right shoulder disability, and OSA are granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits.,Service connection is established for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and IBS based on presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for rectal disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied as there is no current disability. The claim for fibromyalgia is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.,The Veteran's back condition claims (right lower extremity neurological disorder, left lower extremity neurological disorder) are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted with an effective date of September 13, 2019. The Board found that the appropriate effective date is based on the date his intent to file a claim was received, which was September 13, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as total (100%) with an additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran's TDIU was based on multiple service-connected disabilities, not a single disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that her service-connected conditions did not prevent her from securing and following gainful employment.

The Veteran's IBS is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its relationship to service, toxic exposures, and any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for IBS was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision could be issued.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including a back disability, left ankle disabilities, right ankle disabilities, chronic headaches, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and IBS are all granted. A 70 percent rating is assigned for PTSD.

The Veteran's IBS, a qualifying chronic disability under the PACT Act, is granted as service connected due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at a uniform 30 percent, effective from the date of his May 2021 grant of service connection.

The Veteran's IBS has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, and his PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error regarding attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an August 2020 rating decision. The AOJ must now address whether the appellant is eligible for direct payment of attorney fees.

The Board has remanded seven service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, acid reflux with nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, as well as sinusitis. The AOJ must attempt to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records from his last duty station at Fort Knox, KY.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain is denied. His hyperhidrosis, severe sensitivity to light, heat and humidity, lung disorder (status post pneumothorax), eye disability (dry eye syndrome and blepharitis squamous), and gastrointestinal disorder are all granted as secondary to his service-connected hyperhidrosis.