IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was granted with an effective date of June 29, 2021. The condition is considered a presumptive service-connected condition due to the Veteran's service in Kuwait.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected IBS and GERD, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's IBS and migraines have been rated at the maximum schedular ratings, with no additional manifestations not contemplated by the current ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, rhinitis, IBS, non-infectious gastroenteritis, and UTI due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30% evaluation. The claims for chronic sinusitis, non-allergic rhinitis, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression are denied. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a separate grant of service connection for GERD, as a residual of her cholecystectomy, is granted effective May 19, 2024. The claims for increased ratings for cholecystectomy residuals and esophageal spasms are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of increased initial evaluations for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, service connection for left lower extremity, service connection for right lower extremity, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals for service connection of sinus condition, migraine condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and service connection for IBS as secondary to anxiety disorder is granted. Service connection for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is denied due to lack of presumptive basis. Service connection for CHF with bradycardia and pacemaker as secondary to hypertension is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for neck, back, kidney, liver, IBS, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding past-due benefits awarded in the March 20, 2023 rating decision. The matter is being returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to grant service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, prostate condition, headaches, IBS, behavioral neurology conditions, and acquired psychological condition due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's IBS was not characterized by frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress or diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress from November 15, 2022, until May 18, 2024.,Following the revision of the rating criteria applicable to IBS effective May 19, 2024, the Veteran was assigned a 30 percent rating for his IBS from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cervical spine disability, respiratory insufficiency, and irritable bowel syndrome was denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The Veteran's IBS and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service connected, with the latter condition likely originating during active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for IBS was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7319.

The Veteran's IBS is being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination regarding his participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) during active military service.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety, depression, teeth grinding, residuals of TBI, sleep disability, breathing disability, and IBS as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, which meets the criteria for severe disability with symptoms including abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week and changes in stool frequency and form.