IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2026

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and migraines have been granted initial ratings of 30 percent and 50 percent, respectively. These ratings are effective from April 9, 2018.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection. The skin disorder claim, including photodermatitis, is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to need regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, non-allergic rhinitis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and bilateral temporomandibular disorder have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right Achilles tendonitis, left and right PTTD, and left and right plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in May 2024, as the April 2024 VA Form 21-8940 was a new claim for an increased rating of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to January 4, 2020 were dismissed. The claim for a 100% rating for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted in February 2025 and represents a full grant of benefits sought. The claim for a 30% rating for irritable bowel syndrome was granted from January 4, 2020, but the effective date is denied as it does not meet the criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss of the left ear, sleep apnea, and respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea), among others. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and fatigue are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA needs to conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his Gulf War exposure.

The Board denied service connection for IBS, OSA, and GERD as there is no persuasive evidence of their onset or relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including TMJ, a bilateral feet disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, hearing loss, sleep apnea, and IBS. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected psychiatric disorder, CFS, migraine, fibromyalgia, and IBS due to insufficient rationale in the January 2021 VA examination. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) due to a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI), as the Veteran served in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

Service connection is granted for IBS and onychomycosis of the left foot. The issues of service connection for CTS of the right upper extremity, susceptibility to dehydration, and other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable prior to December 12, 2022 and at a maximum of 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds no entitlement to higher ratings under the current schedular criteria.,Service connection for IBS is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,PTSD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Tension headaches did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on characteristic prostrating attacks.,Degenerative arthritis of cervical spine did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,Right shoulder impingement did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,Left shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,IBS manifested as moderate, frequent episodes of abdominal distress and did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the issue of service connection for facial scarring. A 10 percent initial rating, but no higher, is granted for tension headaches. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and IBS with GERD are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as his request for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The Veteran was awarded service connection for GAD at a 50 percent evaluation effective February 17, 2023. His appeal for a 30% rating is dismissed.

Service connection was granted for unspecified anxiety disorder, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. A 30 percent rating was also granted for irritable bowel syndrome with chronic constipation from December 9, 2019.,The Veteran's claims were based on in-service acoustic trauma exposure.

The Veteran is denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 70% rating for depression. The earliest possible effective date is June 14, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depression was received on June 14, 2018, and therefore, no earlier effective date can be granted.