IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, solar lentigines, and acne as manifestations of a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI), while denying an increased rating for PTSD with residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Board also granted initial ratings for migraine and tension headaches, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, granted a 30% rating for IBS, and granted an effective date of October 3, 2022 for the grant of service connection for IBS. The low back disability and radiculopathy issues were remanded.

The Board granted a separate initial disability rating of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome and an initial disability rating of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disorder, but denied an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches.

The Board denied higher ratings for hypertension and left elbow rheumatoid arthritis, granted a 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome, and remanded several service connection claims.

The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent but no higher for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on the Veteran's symptoms of severe diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress.

The Board granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia of the patella and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bronchitis were also denied, while other claims for service connection and increased ratings were remanded.

All appeals for higher initial ratings and service connection were dismissed as they were duplicative of previously addressed appeals or due to untimely filings.

The Board granted an initial disability evaluation of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) effective from the date of claim.

The veteran withdrew appeals for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral foot skin condition.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for IBS from May 19, 2024, and denied service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder, heart disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and assigned initial ratings of 30 percent for migraines, 20 percent for each ankle condition, and 40 percent for lumbar strain. Effective dates earlier than July 7, 2022, were denied for the ankle, migraine, and lumbar strain conditions, while an effective date of August 17, 2022, was granted for sinusitis.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective March 30, 1998, and dismissed the appeal for an increased initial rating for atopic dermatitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board granted an effective date of December 17, 2018, for the award of service connection for other specified trauma disorder and stressor related disorder. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for hemorrhoids as a secondary condition to IBS, denied service connection for fibromyalgia and loss of sense of smell, and denied an increased rating for IBS. The claims for rotator cuff tendonitis and tinea pedis/seborrheic dermatitis were remanded.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and remanded several service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. However, it granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an extension of time to file an appeal regarding the severance of service connection for IBS, finding it not timely and no good cause shown.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, tension headaches, and an initial compensable rating for inguinal hernia. The claim for irritable bowel syndrome was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and a compensable rating for sinusitis. However, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating for sinus headaches.