IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.,Service connection was also granted for a left hand disability but is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including headaches (migraines), neurological signs and symptoms, psychiatric disability, hip disabilities, knee disabilities, plantar fasciitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, obstructive sleep apnea, fatigue, hypertension, glaucoma, and optic atrophy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims during his March 2021 Board hearing.,The appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran in writing prior to the promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the issues of entitlement to service connection for a stomach disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, left thigh disorder, left foot drop, and tinnitus are remanded due to new evidence submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing she was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with GERD is rated at 60 percent, effective from April 17, 2012. The rating reflects severe impairment of health due to symptoms such as pain, vomiting, weight loss, and melena.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and IBS are being remanded for further evaluation.,Specifically, the Board is requesting additional medical evidence to determine if higher ratings are warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found the severity, frequency, and duration of his PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating. For IBS, he was already receiving the highest schedular rating available under DC 7319. RLE radiculopathy and LLE radiculopathy were rated at 20% each, with no evidence of more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's IBS, Sinusitis, TMJ, and headaches have been granted service connection.,A separate rating for a painful C-section scar of the anterior trunk has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's intermittent loose stools are related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The right knee disability remains under review with respect to potential CUE in the initial rating decision.

The Veteran's IBD is now rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms prior to August 11, 2017, met the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is dismissed. The claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and a skin disorder of the bilateral feet are reopened. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, and diabetes mellitus are denied. An increased rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral strain disability and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service or to another service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board found that the current low back disability is not related to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's IBS is idiopathic and unrelated to his anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and irritable bowel syndrome are now before the AOJ.

The Board has dismissed the claim for TDIU prior to January 31, 2019 due to maximization of compensation. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) issued by the Veteran's representative and the VA Office of the General Counsel. The JMR requested that the Board address the issue of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, including evidence provided during the December 2021 hearing where the Veteran's spouse stated he cannot be around bodies of water without being reminded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD, IBS, lumbosacral strain, and left cubital tunnel syndrome are denied as the earliest possible effective date allowable by law is May 15, 2018.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (IBS) and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder are both remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 30, 1998 for service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, and dermatitis. Service connection was not established due to the Veteran's Gulf War exposure but new evidence from VA treatment records allowed for reopening of his claim.

The Board has denied service connection for plantar fasciitis and remanded the issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The decision on plantar fasciitis is due to a lack of evidence linking it to service. For IBS, an addendum medical opinion is needed to determine if in-service exposure to burn pits could have caused the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hypertension are both remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.