IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

An effective date of December 11, 2015, but no earlier, for service connection of constrictive bronchiolitis is granted.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, anal or perianal fistula, and sleep apnea is granted based on the PACT Act provisions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's IBS with frequency and urgency, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the condition had onset in service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is denied. The case is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for IBS.

The Board granted service connection for IBS and assigned a 10% disability rating, effective August 9, 2017. The claim was denied for an increased rating from July 13, 2023.,Service connection for tinnitus was established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims will be remanded for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection based on direct evidence. The claims for chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, indigestion, cervical thoracic disability, and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome, and the Board has dismissed the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at a noncompensable (0%) level, but the Board has granted an initial 10% rating effective from September 21, 2016.,The Veteran's IBS is rated at the highest schedular rating of 30%, effective from September 21, 2016. The appeal for service connection for a headache disorder was also granted.

The Veteran's small bowel obstruction, status post resection of small intestine, with IBS, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted under the current criteria. The service connection claim for hiatal hernia and GERD secondary to small bowel obstruction is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and tinnitus are granted service connection. The right ankle disability and IBS claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) due to Persian Gulf War service is granted, as he meets the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's lung cancer and COPD are granted service connection due to exposure to toxic substances in service. Hypertension is also granted service connection based on the same exposure. Service connection for sinusitis, acid reflux, constipation (IBS), and PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, and left hip disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinions. The IBS, overactive bladder disability, and hearing loss disability are being remanded as they may be related to toxic exposure from service. Service connection is granted for Type II diabetes mellitus under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and sinusitis have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

Service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted.,The issue of service connection for sinusitis is dismissed as moot due to the VA RO's independent grant prior to the Board decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for conjunctivitis associated with Crohn's disease and IBS was granted, but the issue of an increased rating remains pending due to missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for uterine fibroids is denied.,A remand has been ordered to obtain missing eye imaging and photography from Vista Imaging in June and July 2017. Additionally, the Veteran needs to be scheduled for an examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to assess her current visual impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and panic disorder, finding that his IBS was proximately due to or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for service connection.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied due to lack of in-service disease or injury and insufficient continuity of symptomatology post-service. The VA examiner could not provide an opinion without resorting to speculation.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is remanded as the November 2015 VA medical opinion is inadequate, failing to address diagnostic testing performed at VistA Imaging.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, herpes simplex, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus are all granted service connection. The claims for these conditions were reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, and therefore, he does not qualify for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance or adaptive equipment.