IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches with an effective date of September 20, 2017, and also granted service connection for a GI condition and cardiovascular hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and OSA respectively.

The Board granted service connection for hiatal hernia and abdominal pain, chronic sinusitis (under the PACT Act), and lumbosacral strain. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and allergic rhinitis were denied, while several other claims were remanded.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, denied an initial compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome, and denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right-hand tremors. The claims for service connection for sinusitis, respiratory disability, left-hand tremors, and chronic fatigue syndrome were remanded.

The veteran's appeal requests were denied as they were not timely filed within one year of the respective rating decisions, and no good cause was shown for the late filings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and a right wrist disability, as there was no evidence of these conditions during or shortly after his military service. The claims for other disabilities were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions and a higher disability rating for anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for increased ratings or additional service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia and remanded the claims for periodic limb movement disorder, sleep condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, upper respiratory disability, elevated blood pressure, elevated prostate condition, fatigue, right hip condition, dizziness, fainting, or loss of consciousness, pneumonia/dyspnea, and skin, malignant neoplasm.

The Board granted ratings of 30 percent or higher for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right shoulder strain, left elbow olecranon bursitis, right elbow olecranon bursitis, and headaches. Service connection was also granted for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) under the PACT Act.

The Board granted service connection for an anxiety disorder and an initial 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but remanded the claims for fibromyalgia, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected PTSD and a 10 percent rating, but not higher, for GERD. The remaining issues were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), alcohol use disorder, and cluster headaches. The claims were remanded for further development of the evidence regarding unspecified mood disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder.

The Board granted an effective date of November 24, 2022 for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for tension headaches and cholecystectomy with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that his condition was manifested by no more than mild impairment, including daily diarrhea without abdominal distress.

The Board remands all claims for service connection and a compensable disability rating due to the failure of the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) to properly obtain relevant private medical records prior to making a decision on appeal.

The veteran withdrew the appeal by way of a February 2024 Statement in Support of Claim, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and a compensable disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to obtain retrospective opinions on the severity of these disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, heart disease, and digestive disability but granted service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran has a current gastrointestinal disability that was incurred in or otherwise the result of her active service, including as due to exposure to environmental hazards while in Southwest Asia.

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