IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, GERD, IBS, right and left knee disabilities, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities contribute in substantial part to a vocational impairment, and he has not overcome the effects of such impairment. With resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor, the criteria for a determination that the Veteran has an employment handicap for VR&E benefits purposes have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's IBS is presumed related to military service and has been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), finding that the Veteran was treated during active duty for symptoms consistent with IBS, and there is medical evidence showing persistence of the disability since separation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his IBS.

The Veteran's request for higher-level review of his increased rating claims for hearing loss and irritable bowel syndrome was denied because the request was untimely.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome should be remanded due to an inadequate examination report prior to the August 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and IBS are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant withdrew her request for readjudication of her service connection claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, requesting a dismissal of the initial rating for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence does not support a finding that IBS or GERD are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of service connection for IBS is granted based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 2013 Rating Decision. The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40% disability rating for lumbosacral strain is denied as it was not factually ascertainable that there was an increase in severity of his condition prior to April 6, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for L5-S1 lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied because there is no indication of its manifestation within one year of service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome and a back disability with sciatica due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis are rated at a 30% since the onset of her condition. The initial rating for acute sinusitis is denied prior to March 10, 2020, but granted beginning on that date with a 10% rating. Service connection for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus type II are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia are denied as the evidence does not show an intent to file a claim prior to January 30, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various gastrointestinal and spinal conditions are remanded due to incomplete records, lack of rationale in the examination reports, and other procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, migraine/headache condition, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been granted. These conditions are found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.