IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial rating for other specified mental disorder due to another medical condition was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's Crohn's disease (claimed as IBS, stomach issues, and pain) also had its initial rating of 30 percent denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder is found to be the proximate cause of his restless leg syndrome. However, his IBS and GERD symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea was denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as anxiety), depression, insomnia, and social adjustment disorder were all denied due to the lack of persuasive evidence of a current disability during or shortly before the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed in a September 2020 rating decision, which granted the requested effective dates.,The Veteran was granted service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression associated with GERD with H. Pylori status post laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with residual bloating, flatulence, and inability to vomit, to include IBS.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for GERD and IBS as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The VA must obtain a medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected back disorder.

An effective date of October 28, 2019, is granted for a 60 percent rating for IBS with GERD. An earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also receives a TDIU rating due to the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a failure to provide VA examinations and a duty to assist error. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including GERD, IBS, overactive bladder, headaches/migraines, and hypothyroidism, on secondary theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including MDD, PTSD, insomnia, and GERD with hiatal hernia and IBS, have prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment since October 2, 2020. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted from this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to obtain examinations for all claimed disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or PFB-related scars. Increased ratings were also denied for mixed tension migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death, attributing it to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and cholecystectomy. The decision also moots any entitlement to Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion, and a need for a Gulf War and TERA examination.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome is denied as it is the highest schedular evaluation available. The Board has also remanded her claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for tinnitus, headaches, left knee pain, right knee pain, irritable bowel syndrome, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, left ankle pain, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, numbness in the legs and feet, foot pain/plantar fasciitis/heel spurs, lumbago/back pain, neck pain have all been remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an intestinal condition on a presumptive basis due to exposure in Southwest Asia, finding that his symptoms align with a qualifying chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and a headache disability have been granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his neck, right ankle, and right elbow disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors, including a lack of OMPF verification for his service in Southwest Asia and VA examinations for sleep apnea and skin disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from November 5, 2002 to September 24, 2007 was denied as his service-connected IBS and hemorrhoids did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including IBS, left shoulder disability, knee disabilities, and varicose veins. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.