IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examinations in prior rating decisions.,No specific conditions were granted or denied as they are pending further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 17, 2021 for the grant of service connection for IBS is granted. The effective date is based on a favorable finding in the March 2024 rating decision that the Veteran had been diagnosed with 'change in bowel habits' and 'diarrhea unspecified' consistent with IBS mixed type.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and analysis regarding his service-connected migraines, IBS, respiratory insufficiency, and bilateral hand tremors.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including residuals of heat exhaustion, chronic headaches, skin disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, lumbar spine disabilities, and radicular pain. Service connection is denied for hypertension, IBS, and OSA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel disease, neuropathy of lower extremities, neuropathy of upper extremities, rhinitis, sinusitis, prostate cancer, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee condition (claimed as bilateral knee injuries), and traumatic brain injury is denied due to lack of evidence supporting the presence or relationship of these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for loss of use of a creative organ and sleep apnea related to an acquired psychiatric disability is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for irritable bowel syndrome has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits of these claims as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and irritable bowel syndrome, finding no current disabilities for which service connection could be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and irritable bowel syndrome related to lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error and an issue related to toxic exposure. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence considered.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hypertension, neck disability, right hand arthritis of fingers, left hand arthritis of fingers, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, and left foot arthritis of toes. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.,The Board has denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and incontinence. The Board has also denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and TMJ disorder are remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination prior to the January 2021 rating decision. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran currently has these conditions, as well as whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it originated during active service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the lack of evidence showing its presence during or after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and migraine headaches due to a failure to obtain an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and service, including toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) participation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of irritable bowel syndrome has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's IBS, a presumptively related disorder from her service in the Gulf War Theater of Operations, has been granted service connection and rated at 10%.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and a compensable rating for his right hand disability. The Board has remanded these claims due to the need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis of gastrointestinal disability related to in-service treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to investigate further than the examiner's conclusion that the Veteran did not have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The claim will be reconsidered with an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his intermittent abdominal pain.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids has been granted.,Service connection is established for major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress.,Service connection is established for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis.,Service connection is established for cervical strain and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is established for left shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post subacromial decompression surgery.,Service connection is established for right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post subacromial decompression surgery.,Service connection is established for migraine headaches.,Service connection is established for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is established for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified anxiety disorder, IBS, and migraines are granted. The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is found to be caused by extensive sexual harassment in service. Her IBS meets the criteria for a 30% rating based on her symptoms. Her migraines began during service.