IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal of his increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in an October 2021 statement, citing satisfaction with a new rating decision and cancellation of a scheduled hearing.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate etiology opinions and potential outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not support reopening the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and denied all other claims as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to delays in receiving VA Forms 21-8940 and 21-4192, which were required for determining entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran was not provided sufficient time to complete these forms before a rating decision was made.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disability, to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and left ankle disability. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequacies in previous VA opinions and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU and did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for impairment of sphincter control was denied as the evidence did not show complete loss of sphincter control or frequent involuntary bowel movements.,The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for service-connected IBS with GERD from April 3, 2014, was also denied. The Board found that the available schedular ratings adequately addressed his disability picture.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for headaches, GERD, IBS, pterygium, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left shoulder disabilities. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The male reproductive system disorder issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, respiratory disorders, lung nodule, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and irritable bowel syndrome are all granted service connection. The hypertension claim is denied.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and nightmare disorder) is granted based on in-service stressors and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not by themselves cause him to require aid and assistance in accomplishing the activities of daily living and render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an intestinal disability, to include IBS, and a gastroesophageal disability, to include GERD.,Both conditions were found not related to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran's authorized representative withdrew all issues on appeal in a July 2022 letter.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been dismissed as the matter was specifically withdrawn by his attorney. The issues of TDIU have been dismissed for both time periods from July 3, 2008 to present and November 14, 2006 to July 2, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to meet the threshold requirement for entitlement to a program of vocational rehabilitation. However, he did not meet the second requirement as his service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities have been overcome by his extensive education, practical work experience, and transferrable skills.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including IBS, and the rating for colon volvulus are denied. The left hip strain is granted with a 10% rating prior to February 3, 2022, and denied with a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as the evidence did not establish a relationship between her current diagnosis and her period of service or her service-connected PTSD and IBS.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS prior to August 18, 2022 was denied due to insufficient evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities aggravated her hypertension beyond natural progression.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to August 18, 2022 was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability as secondary to his service-connected ankle disability.