IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent has been assigned throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for dysmenorrhea, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and irritable bowel syndrome are granted. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, dermatosis of the arms, and bilateral restless leg syndrome are denied.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for IBS, which was granted on June 17, 2023. The Board denied this request as the PACT Act did not establish IBS as a presumptive condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, right knee pain, sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, blurry vision, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left shoulder rotator cuff, and right shoulder rotator cuff have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the Board finds that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, blurry vision, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left shoulder rotator cuff, and right shoulder rotator cuff have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's median arcuate ligament syndrome is granted service connection. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric condition are denied.

The Veteran's dermatophytosis is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was denied due to lack of evidence supporting the diagnosis.

The Veteran's IBS with functional dyspepsia is granted a 30 percent rating from November 6, 2023 to May 19, 2024. A compensable rating for functional dyspepsia effective May 19, 2024 is denied. The Veteran's IBS with functional dyspepsia rated as previously at 10 percent from November 6, 2023 to May 19, 2024 is granted a 30 percent rating effective May 19, 2024. A disability rating of 60 percent for herpes simplex virus is granted.

The Veteran's IBS and liver disease are being remanded for further examination and opinion as they may be related to Gulf War service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and recharacterized the claim as including both GERD and IBS diagnoses. The issue of service connection for IBS is now part of the appeal.

The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for various conditions, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at a maximum of 30 percent, effective August 10, 2022. The Board found that the Veteran has consistently reported chronic gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea and abdominal pain throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for vision disability, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches (migraines), and skin disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with a hearing as requested.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, as well as errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ have been dismissed without prejudice as the respective decisions implementing the July 26, 2023 Board decision are not appealable.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, vertigo/dizziness, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), head injury, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been dismissed without prejudice as the respective decisions implementing the July 26, 2023 Board decision are not appealable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation, including service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder secondary to his service-connected right colon perforation and hemicolectomy. The initial compensable rating for the scar related to the right hemicolectomy remains denied. His claim for an increased rating for right colon perforation and hemicolectomy is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances were denied because the topical medication and protective underwear did not meet the eligibility criteria, specifically due to lack of a service-connected disability or improper use of appliances.

The Veteran's right elbow disability, cervical spine disability, left nasal septum deviation with nasal congestion, and headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also received a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for his IBS.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 13, 2023 for the Veteran's 30 percent rating for IBS. The decision is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.,Specifically, the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on how the Veteran's symptoms would differ in severity without medication use.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC eligibility was denied due to lack of personal care services. The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation and clarification.