IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, bilateral eye disability, and memory loss due to Gulf War Service. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for sciatica, subluxation of the ribs, bilateral elbow disability, bilateral wrist/hand disability, bilateral ankle disability, pelvic disorder, residuals of an abdominal muscle injury, varicose veins (bilateral lower extremity), dizzy spells, balance impairment with assistive device, and difficulty swallowing has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a bilateral hip disability secondary to cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities is remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia, as the appellant is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. The claim remains pending on its merits.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is dismissed due to pyramiding.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been granted. The Veteran served in the Southwest Asia theater and has a current diagnosis of IBS.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to lack of an appropriate diagnosis or clear etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness, including due to undiagnosed illness, is remanded as the cause of his symptoms has not been determined.,Service connection for chronic frontal sinusitis is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset and relation to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which suggests that a change in Metformin brand may have worsened his IBS symptoms. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and provide an updated opinion on whether the worsening of IBS was due to fault or unforeseeable events.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of IBS and found that any symptoms were consistent with the Veteran's already service-connected rectal cancer.,Service connection was granted for fatigue, diagnosed as anemia, as secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected rectal cancer.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The reduction in rating from 30% to 0% for IBS was restored.,Evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen a claim of service connection for a right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have sufficient hearing loss in either ear to be considered a ratable disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and diverticulitis are remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for an addendum opinion addressing etiology, pathophysiology, and whether the cluster of symptoms constitutes a MUCMI.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for scarring from abdominal surgery secondary to diverticulitis is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claims for CFS, IBS, and diverticulitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected left shoulder strain, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran's left shoulder strain is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for tuberculosis, gastrointestinal disorders (including colonic polyps and chronic constipation), asbestosis, and respiratory disorder due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively, for moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's IBS without considering medication effects.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and remanded the issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, right ankle degenerative joint disease, residuals of right tibia fracture, and residuals of left foot fracture.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous directives and the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed IBS.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of etiological opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and/or prescribed medications.

The Veteran's shin splints and digestive issues are not service-connected, while his irritable bowel syndrome is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. His lumbar spine disability remains at a 40% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left foot fracture residuals is denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU as of November 30, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for esophageal stricture and IBS with GERD and duodenal ulcer.