IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS is granted due to the presumptive nature of the condition. The claim for CFS remains denied as there is no credible evidence meeting the specific requirements for a diagnosis of CFS.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence received, including VA examinations and opinions that tend to prove or disprove the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The cervical spine condition is denied as there was no in-service onset or chronicity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD, OSA to include asthma, IBS with GERD status post Boerhaave syndrome with scar and s/p cholecystectomy, and chronic lumbar syndrome with degeneration of L5-S1 and anterolisthesis at L5 are all denied.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for IBS is granted, effective January 3, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, GERD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and IBS. The Board found that the current diagnoses of these conditions were not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for any of the claimed conditions and thus, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and IBS disabilities are granted as service-connected. The lumbar spine disability remains remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, which grants entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at a housebound rate is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and IBS ratings are maintained, while the rating for obstructive sleep apnea is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for IBS, lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy due to a procedural error in providing notice of his right to a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were denied. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected IBS, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for a right foot disorder require further examination and consideration due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right hip conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case to allow for a full review of the Veteran's claims, including his October 2023 claim for service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as his claims for increased disability ratings. The cause of death claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory insufficiency, and irritable bowel syndrome due to untimely filing.

The Veteran's malignant carcinoid syndrome, status post small bowel resection with irritable bowel syndrome has been rated at 40 percent since May 19, 2024. The Board found that the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not require intermittent total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

The Board is remanding the claim because the AOJ has not provided a decision on the rating for Crohn's disease with IBS during the period from December 13, 2022, to May 19, 2024. The Veteran submitted a higher-level review request and was granted a 100 percent rating for this condition starting from May 19, 2024.

Service connection is granted for an intestinal disorder (claimed as diverticulitis) and denied for hepatic steatosis. The Veteran's unstable angina and hypertension are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board dismissed the appeal for sleep apnea. The right shoulder disorder and gastrointestinal disabilities (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis) are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.