IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience prior to June 13, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for chronic sinusitis, or earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The claim for PTSD was granted with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's IBS was denied a compensable evaluation from June 13, 2010 to September 27, 2019.,An increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for IBS since September 27, 2019 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for IBS due to a lack of an examination and the need for further medical opinion regarding whether the condition is related to service, including exposure to burn pits in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for recurrent right shoulder, testicular (epididymitis), and gastrointestinal disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent, effective September 30, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms of daily constipation and abdominal distress with bloating, cramps, and occasional vomiting are accurately reflected by this rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and IBS due to incomplete examinations and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while his IBS claim requires additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, hip conditions, and IBS have been reopened. He is granted separate disability ratings of 20 percent each for left and right knee instability.

The Veteran's IBS was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to October 6, 2015. From October 6, 2015, the maximum schedular rating for IBS has been in effect.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a hiatal hernia as moot because it is encompassed by already service-connected conditions (IBS, hepatitis B, and GERD).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the increase in disability had not occurred within one year before his June 2, 2018 claim.,Effective dates earlier than June 2, 2018, for the awards of service connection or increased ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the relevant period.

An effective date prior to October 26, 2015, for the award of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is denied.,New and material evidence has been received in order to reopen a claim for service connection for a headache disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU on an extraschedular basis for IBS was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an extraschedular TDIU based solely on effects of IBS.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS and spastic colitis is rated at 30 percent, effective October 14, 2020. The higher initial rating for his knee conditions remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of appendix removal, gall bladder removal, vision disorder, body sweats, hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, tinnitus, colon cancer (also claimed as partial colon/intestinal removal), testicular cancer and removal, Barrett's esophagus, right foot peripheral neuropathy, left foot peripheral neuropathy, right hand peripheral neuropathy, left hand peripheral neuropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee disability, left knee disability, hepatitis C, malaise, neck surgery broken vertebra, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, subcutaneous cell carcinoma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, and tinnitus are REMANDED.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum to the VA medical opinion. The Veteran's IBS is still under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his ratings for various disabilities, including renal cell carcinoma and hearing loss.

Service connection for IBS is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for residuals of TBI is granted based on credible evidence of in-service injury and consistent with service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings of his psychiatric and right knee disabilities, as well as claims for service connection for left knee and right toe disabilities, have been dismissed. The Veteran's GERD has been granted a 60% disability rating.