IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her reported exposures at Fort McClellan (FTMC) during service. The claims are related to multiple conditions including chronic hepatitis A, compromised immune system, heart condition, irritable bowel syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and fibromyalgia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the September 2019 VA examination report, which did not address whether the Veteran's IBS was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The case is now being sent back for an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal/stomach condition, including IBS and appendicitis residuals.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome and GERD was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and depression was granted, as new and material evidence had been submitted since the October 2012 final rating decision.

The Veteran's Personality Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorders are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection for Gastrointestinal Disorder (IBS) and Hypertension is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disability, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active service, including as secondary to his service-connected IBS.

The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to incomplete information and clarification of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, bruised ribs and right kidney disorder, pain in eyes to include seeing floaters, tinnitus, poor blood circulation (hands & feet blotchy), migraine headaches, and bilateral hand tremors are all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for IBS and GERD have been denied as they are not service-connected.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD and fibromyalgia is granted effective February 23, 2011. The claims for increased evaluations of hemorrhoids, fibromyalgia, and PTSD are withdrawn. Service connection for vertigo, arthralgia, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bruxism, IBS, GERD, and rectal sphincter impairment is remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, right ankle degenerative joint disease, bilateral degenerative joint disease of the hands, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD) have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's IBS, ED, and migraines have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also received a 50% rating for his migraines.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS are granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. His PTSD is denied, and MDD is also denied. A rating of 100 percent for the psychiatric condition is granted from March 11, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches prior to April 17, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the schedular criteria.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 21, 2017 was also denied. The Board determined that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with irritable bowel syndrome is denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for GERD with irritable bowel syndrome is granted as February 4, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disorders, including PTSD, IBS, migraines, left knee disorder, and bilateral fibrocystic breast disease, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 7, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and Crohn's disease, as well as his kidney condition. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed all issues due to lack of allegations of errors of fact or law.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, thus SMC on the basis of aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 10, 2016 and July 23, 2016 for residuals of rectal fistula repair associated with IBS and surgical scar, rectal fistula repair are granted, with an effective date set at February 2, 2016.