IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War, and therefore, his claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right leg, and neurologic disability of the right lower extremity are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection related to unexplained multi-symptom illnesses due to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for GERD and IBS have been granted. The Veteran is now receiving a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected GERD, effective from the date of service connection. His service-connected IBS has also received an initial evaluation of 30 percent.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and herpes zoster were granted service connection. The Board also found that the evidence was at least in equipoise for his other conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability, costochondritis, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, psoriasis, heart disability, hypertension, IBS, cholecystectomy, and thyroid disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, eye disorders, fatigue disorder, GERD, IBS, and migraines. The VA will obtain missing service treatment records and provide additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back disability, lung disability, CFS, sleep apnea, hypertension, IBS, and migraine headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the elbow, bilateral acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, bilateral patellar femoral syndrome, degenerative spondylosis, dermatitis, and IBS. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by his competent testimony regarding symptoms since service.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, left sciatic radiculopathy, reactive airway disease, a right knee baker's cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, and chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for eligibility to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, left ankle sprain residuals, sinusitis, and left ventricular hypertrophy with AV block are all granted as service-connected. The flat feet, allergic rhinitis, shortness of breath, hypertension, and IBS are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection for a rectal disability, specifically pruritus ani, is granted. The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent from December 21, 2009 to May 13, 2016.

The Veteran's initial rating for IBS was remanded due to his failure to appear at the scheduled VA examination. Another remand is necessary to arrange for a new VA examination.

Service connection for IBS, as due to Gulf War undiagnosed illness, is granted. Service connection for headaches, left arm condition, left wrist condition, right index finger injury, lower back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and right eye condition are denied. Service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, both as due to Gulf War undiagnosed illness, are also denied.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, a right shoulder disability, and gastrointestinal disability (IBS). The Veteran's right hip and left hip disabilities are denied. An effective date of January 13, 2015, is assigned for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, lower gastrointestinal disability (IBS), and GERD due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between his service-connected anxiety disorder and his claimed disabilities (hypertension, headaches, OSA, IBS, acid reflux).

The Veteran's asthma and recurrent bronchitis, IBS, PTSD (prior to September 1, 2017), PTSD (from September 1, 2017 onwards), restless leg syndrome, and chronic headaches have been granted service connection. The rating for PTSD has been increased from 50% to 70%.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was remanded due to insufficient evidence showing his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board requested additional medical examination to assess the impact of IBS, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for service connection of IBS was granted. A 30 percent rating is assigned, but no more, for IBS with severe symptoms including alternating diarrhea and constipation causing abdominal distress. The effective date for this award is set at December 31, 2013.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent since October 6, 2010. The Board also granted SMC at the housebound rate effective from October 6, 2010.