IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's IBS was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, the schedular maximum. The claim for service connection for OSA is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, gastro/digestive issues, and joint pain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for cervical strain, dermatitis, and IBS were denied as the earliest possible effective dates are May 22, 2018, January 26, 2018, and January 26, 2018 respectively.,No rating assigned as no compensation was granted.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as secondary to his PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from November 6, 2014.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals, including the ones for increased disability evaluations and service connection. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not properly consider whether obesity was an intermediate step in the Veteran's development of obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for her service-connected peritoneal adhesions with IBS was denied. The maximum schedular rating allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes has been awarded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his GERD with IBS was remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's IBS is now rated at 30 percent, effective March 24, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings on allergic rhinitis and hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's intestinal disorder/stomach disorder is related to his military service, and the claim for bilateral foot disability has been readjudicated. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including tinnitus, depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, insomnia, PTSD, left shin splints, right shin splints, and sleep apnea are granted. The claims for bilateral pes planus, endocervicitis, gastritis, GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, otitis media, and eye infection remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and fecal incontinence, finding the evidence approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the timeliness of the May 2021 VA Form 9 as it has already been granted and there remains no justiciable case or controversy over which the Board may exercise jurisdiction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, an upper back disability, and a lower back disability. The claim for increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was also denied.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is restored on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act effective August 10, 2022. The appeal regarding direct service connection will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as to the timeliness of his January 2019 notice of disagreement for the April 2016 notification of a March 2016 rating decision, which granted service connection and increased ratings for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service. The VA is required to provide an addendum opinion addressing potential exposure during deployments in Iraq.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for additional development.

The proposed reduction of the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 30% to zero percent is dismissed.,Service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes is denied.,An initial 30% rating for BPPV is granted.,Two issues (IBS with diarrhea and skin disorder of the face) are remanded due to duty to assist error.,The appeal of service connection for IBS with diarrhea and a skin disorder of the face is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis B infection, prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction, PTSD, and various neuropathies, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are met.