IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to calculate the cost of transporting the Veteran's remains from his home in Elyria, Ohio, to the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. The criteria for entitlement to burial transportation reimbursement have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and sleep apnea has been withdrawn.,Service connection for PTSD, right hip disability, left hip disability, low back disability, vertigo, and tinnitus is granted. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension is also granted under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 5, 2019, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is denied. The effective date for IBS is December 5, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, a chronic disability manifested by diarrhea, asthma, and sinusitis due to lack of current diagnoses. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, diverticulitis, constipation, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and IBS prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a finding of TDIU effective September 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS with GERD was denied multiple times, and the effective date of October 21, 2016 is the earliest available under the law.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and migraines, as well as his increased rating claim for chronic sinusitis, are all granted. The Veteran is now rated at 30% for chronic sinusitis since February 28, 2021.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not granted a compensable rating.,For the period from March 23, 2017, to April 27, 2018, the Veteran received a maximum schedular rating for IBS under Diagnostic Code 7319. For the period since April 27, 2018, the Veteran's IBS has been manifested by moderate symptomatology with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance.,The Veteran's sinusitis did not meet criteria for an increased rating as it was not characterized by incapacitating episodes or a history of sinus surgery.,The calluses on the bilateral feet were not painful and collectively measured less than 144 sq. in., thus not meeting criteria for an increased rating.,Right and left knee disabilities have been manifested by findings of limitation of flexion resulting in additional functional loss, but did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they are already at the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's right knee instability was granted an initial 30 percent rating and left knee instability was granted an initial 10 percent rating based on moderate recurrent lateral instability.,Radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated at 20 percent, consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,The Veteran's TMJ disability is related to a service-connected disability and thus granted service connection.,Crohn's Disease was not found to be incurred or aggravated during service.,Respiratory disability and sleep apnea were not found to be incurred or aggravated during service.,Right and left ankle disabilities were not shown in service and are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, muscle pain, chest and ribs condition, and headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, her bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS is granted. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective October 3, 2019. The claims for a gastrointestinal disability other than IBS and left shoulder degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, IBS, OSA, and migraine headaches have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The appeal is successful in these areas.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, effective from August 10, 2022. The issue of service connection for IBS secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction remains remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating he no longer wished to pursue the claims for service connection and rating determinations related to right lumbar radiculopathy, left lumbar radiculopathy, IBS, a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for hearing loss or disability of the cervical spine, and denied all other claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, GERD, and IBS, as well as a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The evidence does not support finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) due to the Veteran's military service, finding that his symptoms are related to his time in active duty.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. For the period from September 29, 2019, the Veteran's psychiatric disability was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine and psychiatric disabilities are granted as service-connected. The claim for IBS is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.