IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent, the maximum allowed under DC 7319. The lumbosacral strain remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining supplemental opinions from VA medical professionals to address whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or knee disabilities caused or aggravated his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as she had not met the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 15, 2011.,The Veteran's SMC claims were also denied as she did not meet the statutory housebound status criteria prior to April 29, 2014 or between June 1, 2014 and August 26, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's long-term smoking habit and exposure to asbestos during military service are at least in approximate balance as a nexus between his condition and service. The other claims of service connection were denied.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted.,Service connection for diverticulitis with surgical scar and hemicolectomy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating from November 13, 2017 to May 31, 2022. The Board is remanding the issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU rating for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected IBS was denied as the symptoms were considered mild overall, with occasional episodes of abdominal distress and diarrhea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection for IBS was not granted, while the Veteran's left hand arthritis, long finger arthritis, thumb arthritis, strictureplasty scar, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella all remained at noncompensable levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there is no evidence of a gastrointestinal or gastroesophageal disorder during service, and any current disorders are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the IBS rating has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent effective November 15, 2019. The claim for a TDIU was raised and granted as of August 17, 2020. An earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's left heel spur is granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection.,The Veteran's low back disability (spondylosis) is granted service connection.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastritis with GERD, amenorrhea, dysplasia, and a stomach condition (IBS) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected IBS, effective from December 11, 2013. The rating is based on moderate disability with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist condition has been reopened, but the appeal is still pending. The VA is required to obtain an opinion on whether his sleep apnea is related to or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis and if he has any current skin condition. Additionally, the VA must provide examinations for his left wrist condition and lower back condition.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period before December 20, 2015, finding that the Veteran was capable of substantially gainful employment during this time.