IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied due to lack of evidence showing he is in need of such assistance. The appeal for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was also denied as there is no schedular rating for loss of use of a creative organ alone.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for IBS with GERD is remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The Board requires new VA examinations to address the severity of her service-connected conditions and consider the impact on sleep impairment.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease are rated at a maximum of 60 percent from March 29, 2021.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's GERD with IBS, effective from March 22, 2021. The decision is based on the severity of symptoms including episodes of epigastric distress, regurgitation, dysphagia, pyrosis, melena, nighttime choking, reflux, and vitamin deficiencies due to difficulty swallowing.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, migraine headaches, hypertension, right wrist sprain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connection due to exposure to burn pits and Persian Gulf War environmental hazards.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further evaluation, including consideration of the synergistic effect of all TERAs.,The Veteran's IBS associated with exposure to Persian Gulf War environmental hazards is granted as service connection.,The Veteran's recurrent disability manifested by fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome) is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical condition and left ankle condition due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7101.,Service connection for broken ribs was also denied. The Board found that there were no current residuals or symptoms related to the in-service broken ribs, and thus service connection could not be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, PTSD, right foot peripheral neuropathy, a right foot great toe fracture, and right knee disability have been denied. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 17, 2021, for service connection were denied as the complete claim was not filed within one year of his intent to file a claim.,VA awarded SMC and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities starting from March 17, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and IBS have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,For the left thigh disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent has also been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral flatfoot, essential tremor, and an effective date for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims and must dismiss this appeal for lack of jurisdiction at this time.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's IBS began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted due to his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, and he also qualifies for SMC based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities. The effective date will be determined by the agency of original jurisdiction.

Service connection is granted for dizziness as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for memory loss. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of memory loss or functional impairment from it.,Service connection is granted for nausea as secondary to service-connected headaches.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing noise exposure in service.,Service connection is denied for broken nose. There is no evidence of a current injury or functional impairment related to the claimed event.,Service connection is granted for fatigue as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis and there is no evidence of symptoms from it.,Service connection is denied for low back disability. There is no evidence of a current injury or functional impairment related to the claimed event.,Service connection is denied for right flat foot. There is no evidence of a current injury or functional impairment related to the claimed event.,Service connection is denied for skin disability (claimed as skin rash, dermatitis and hives). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis and there is no evidence of symptoms from it.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea. There is no evidence of a current injury or functional impairment related to the claimed event.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome are related to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as secondary to her service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral spine strain from January 22, 2020, is granted.

An initial 10 percent rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is granted from November 11, 2019, to September 9, 2020.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroenteritis and a skin condition of the hands are remanded.

The Veteran's IBS was granted a 10 percent rating from July 14, 2022. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a moderate disability with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.