IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran is not able to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from February 22, 2017.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 from February 22, 2017 is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome. The remaining issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition, bilateral upper extremity nerve condition, and their secondary relationship are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper and lower gastrointestinal disabilities, including gastritis, GERD, esophagitis, IBS, colon polyps, and diverticulosis, are service-connected as they began during his active service. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptoms and the VA examiner's consideration of these statements.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fatigue, left shoulder pain, right wrist pain, esophageal reflux, sleep disturbances, headaches, lung condition, hypertension, and heart condition are denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar on the left knee and a compensable rating for non-painful scars on the left knee is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for hemorrhoids and TDIU prior to January 26, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS and diverticulitis has been granted an initial 30 percent evaluation, but no higher. The issue of service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal complications, including IBS and GERD, are secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent effective April 3, 2018. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia as secondary to his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating under DC 7319.,Prior to March 29, 2018, the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not rated higher than 10 percent due to lack of evidence meeting criteria for a higher rating.,From March 29, 2018, to July 8, 2020, the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's bowel disorder, including IBS, UC, and GERD, was found to be moderately severe with frequent exacerbations prior to February 21, 2018. The current rating of 30 percent is the maximum allowable under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection, and he is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate. The left knee issues remain under appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and irritable bowel syndrome have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric conditions and skin thinning, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 16, 2020. From that date onwards, he met the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's shortness of breath is granted service connection, while gastrointestinal disability (IBS), fibromyalgia, and hypertension are denied. The decision on these issues is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period of September 27, 2016 to September 30, 2020. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was restored, and the reduction of his combined evaluation from 60% to 50% is granted. The issue regarding the propriety of reducing his combined evaluation remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's gastrointestinal issues are being recharacterized as celiac disease, and he is considered to have participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except prostate/penis injury and psychiatric disorder claims have been dismissed. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a left ankle condition and remanded it. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia residual condition is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of an active left inguinal hernia in recent examinations and denied a higher rating. The scars from previous surgeries are also rated at 10 percent.