IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome due to outstanding VA treatment records and non-VA medical records not being associated with the claims file. The Board also requires addendum VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, which more closely approximates the criteria for severe IBS with diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation.

The Veteran's chronic bilateral dry eye is granted a disability rating of 20 percent on and after February 19, 2020. Service connection for psychiatric, cervical spine, and IBS disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not granted an increased rating.,The Veteran's IBS is not granted a higher than 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's PTSD remains at the maximum (70%) disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and other claims were generally granted, with some issues being denied or having their ratings adjusted. The decision covers various conditions including RLS, PTSD with TBI, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, herpes simplex virus, cervical spine DDD, tarsal tunnel syndrome, knee pain syndromes, and thumb sprain.

The appeal of the proposed reduction in evaluation for persistent fistula s/p perirectal abscess, which is currently rated at 60 percent disabling and proposed to be decreased to 30 percent, has been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for Crohn's disease with irritable bowel syndrome has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is partially granted with a 50 percent rating for PTSD. The claims of service connection for a skin disability and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for migraine headaches, chest pain, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and dizziness as they were deferred in a December 2020 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and denied service connection for myopia, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), and right carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's IBS is considered a direct result of her military service, while the other conditions are not supported by evidence showing current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease, right knee instability, acne, and scars have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of migraine headaches has been granted. The case is remanded to determine service connection for a GI disorder, including spastic colitis, reflux esophagitis, and IBS.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) on a presumptive basis due to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, effective October 31, 2019. The rating assigned is 50 percent for bilateral Plantar Fasciitis with Pes Planus.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 50 percent rating for Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis with Pes Planus was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability prior to October 31, 2019.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that his symptoms are productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS due to inadequate examination and error in satisfying a regulatory or statutory duty. The Veteran is required to provide an ILER, TERA Memorandum, and undergo a VA examination to determine if his IBS constitutes a MUCMI, stems from a TERA, or is otherwise related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, claimed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA must obtain private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his IBS had an onset during service or is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected IBS have been dismissed due to the Veteran's formal withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, sinusitis, and sleep apnea. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS has been granted. The claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's TBI appeal was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her request for review.,Service connection is granted for cervical strain and spinal stenosis (neck condition), low back condition, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids secondary to service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at a maximum of 30 percent throughout the period on appeal, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319 for severe irritable bowel syndrome with alternating diarrhea and constipation.