IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and metastatic prostate cancer to the ribs and spine are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure during his active military service. The Board found that the Veteran touched ground in Vietnam, presumptively exposed him to herbicides, and thus his prostate cancer is presumed caused by that exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS is granted as it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected IBS was denied. The current rating of 30% is maintained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left foot disability (claimed as pes planus and calcaneal spur), hypertensive vascular disease, lumbar spine condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The appeals are all denied.

The Veteran's postoperative excision of proximal ileum secondary to ischemic obstruction with residual irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea is granted a 100 percent disability rating effective October 31, 2019. The TDIU claim from this date is also granted.

The Veteran's IBS is already rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, and there are no additional symptoms or complications that warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, diabetes, IBS, and a genitourinary disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain VA opinions regarding herbicide exposure and its relation to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's IBS is secondary to his service-connected GERD. The examiner did not consider the aggravation prong of secondary service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease is related to active service, granted.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) disability is proximately due to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis and shin splints status post ORIF left tibia fracture, granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder tear with arthroscopic surgery, left and right knee meniscal tears, IBS, and ventral hernia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding his tremors, neurobehavioral effects, gastrointestinal disability, including hepatic steatosis, gastritis, colonic polyps, and IBS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bowel disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome and fecal incontinence, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was reopened and granted due to her presumed exposure to toxins in Afghanistan. Her claim for service connection for ano fistula is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, but remanded the issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and left hip disability due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder other than the service-connected IBS, kidney stones and renal insufficiency, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorder), migraine headaches, heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, DVT, glaucoma, cholesterol, and fibromyalgia are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded to determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal disorders, kidney stones and renal insufficiency, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorder), migraine headaches, heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, DVT, glaucoma, cholesterol, and fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employment capacity and potential impact of her service-connected conditions, particularly PTSD.

The appeal for higher initial ratings for PTSD and IBS is dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for anxiety, bilateral lung scarring, bilateral hearing loss, a disability manifested by memory loss, a nerve disability of the right upper extremity, and a nerve disability of the left upper extremity are dismissed.,Service connection for TBI is granted. Service connection for migraines is also granted as secondary to TBI.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted.