IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected IBS is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further assessment of the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot condition was not aggravated by his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims for service connection for an eye condition, OSA, IBS, and left ankle strain are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and GERD due to a lack of an adequate examination.,Service connection is denied for bilateral foot condition, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, and GERD.

The Veteran's IBS is caused by his service-connected psychiatric conditions, and the Board has granted service connection for IBS on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 7319, which requires abdominal pain related to defecation for at least one day per week. The Board found that no higher rating could be assigned as there are no additional manifestations of disability not already covered by the current rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's IBS and left/right ankle strains are granted as secondary to his service-connected MDD and bilateral pes planus, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for FSAD, IBS, and GERD are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file for the VA to make a decision.,No summary provided for right upper extremity radiculopathy as it was not addressed in the original decision.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of current disability. The Veteran's IBS with abdominal adhesions is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic code.,For her service-connected appendectomy scar, a VA examination is needed to determine the number and nature of scars related to her appendectomy.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no one has requested substitution.

The Veteran's mental health disorder and digestive disability have been granted increased ratings, effective from April 29, 2019. Effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were also established on that date.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease has been rated at 60 percent since December 10, 2020, due to symptoms productive of severe impairment of health.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, IBS, migraine headaches, urinary incontinence, or RUE radiculopathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,Service connection for urinary incontinence and RUE radiculopathy are remanded as there may be additional evidence that could support the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical evaluation and consideration of causation and aggravation by NSAIDs.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS is manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, reflux, sleep disturbances, and nausea. The Board has granted an initial 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected GERD with IBS.

The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition), carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, iliopsoas tendinitis of the right hip, irritable bowel syndrome, left ankle condition, left flatfoot, left knee condition, right ankle condition, right flatfoot, right knee, sleep apnea, and varicose veins of both lower extremities are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition), carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and varicose veins of both lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for further examination or evidence in several cases. The left knee strain claim remains denied, as does all other individual conditions except for those related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is related to his service and grants entitlement to service connection for IBS.

The Veteran's knee disabilities require regular assistance in accomplishing routine activities of daily living, leading to the grant of SMC at the aid and attendance rate. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is moot.