IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as of August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act. The claim for IBS prior to that date was remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome to obtain a more thorough medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hemorrhoids, and a thoracic spine disorder. Service connection was granted for hypertension, and an initial rating of 30 percent was assigned for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, gastrointestinal issues, foot pain, hand scars, shin splints, migraines, thoracolumbar spine condition, and respiratory condition, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded one issue.

The Board granted an effective date of September 21, 2022, for the Veteran's 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD), 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and 30 percent rating for a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for IBS before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for sinusitis, tension headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also claimed as insomnia.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is granted an initial rating of 10 percent prior to May 19, 2024, and a 30 percent rating from that date. The claims for service connection for carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the right submandibular gland (neck cancer), a gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), and sleep apnea syndrome with granulomatous disease are remanded.

The Board granted a 30 percent initial disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from September 25, 2023.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, finding that they are very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The claim for chronic diarrhea was remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, a higher evaluation for PTSD, earlier effective dates for hypertension and back disability, dismissed an appeal for an earlier effective date for residual gunshot wound scars, and remanded several other issues.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and various increased rating claims while granting a 30% disability evaluation for IBS with constipation, an effective date of November 12, 2021, for the award of a 20% rating for right shoulder instability, and a 10% rating for painful motion of the right knee.

The Board granted service connection for a right wrist disability and bilateral foot disability, as well as a 10 percent rating for bilateral gynecomastia. The claim for an increased rating for erosive gastritis with irritable bowel syndrome was denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder disability, and a scar, status post pilonidal cyst. The Board also remanded entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right shoulder disability (recurrent dislocation), insomnia, major depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, it granted restoration of a 10 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease, lumbosacral strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, erectile dysfunction, and irritable bowel syndrome as the evidence did not support a finding of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board granted an effective date of December 1, 1984 for the awards of service connection for IBS, bilateral shoulder strain, bilateral elbow tendinopathy, limitation of bilateral forearm supination, and bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD and IBS due to outstanding treatment records that are potentially relevant to both claims.

The Board denied service connection for a neck strain and obstructive sleep apnea, as there was no evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the claim or approximate thereto. The claims for other conditions were remanded for further development.