IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's IBS was increased to a 30 percent rating effective December 21, 2015. His cervical spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran is not entitled to TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for multiple conditions, including right wrist disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, aching joints, right carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle spasms of the legs, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and muscle spasms of the arms.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, and onychomycosis are all found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination and opinion are necessary for the IBS and skin condition claims due to lack of consideration of service treatment records, and the need to differentiate between congenital defects and diseases.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD, hiatal hernia, colonic atony with fecal impaction and incontinence of stool, and pelvic floor dysfunction is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted based on the severity of her symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that the earliest date of claim was June 17, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and hearing loss disabilities were not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not have IBS, and his current upper GI symptoms are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's IBS and left brachial plexus neuralgia were not granted increased ratings.,The reduction of the rating for postoperative carotid subclavian artery bypass due to congenital malformation from 60% to 0% was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective December 16, 2009.,The Veteran's IBS is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective June 10, 2010.

The Veteran's IBS and fibromyalgia have been granted service connection as they are considered manifestations of medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses. The Gulf War Syndrome claim, including CFS, remains pending due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% prior to January 14, 2014 and his GERD with IBS is rated at 10% since November 4, 2013. Both conditions meet the criteria for their respective ratings.

The Veteran was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and has had frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress. The Board finds that the Veteran's IBS is a qualifying chronic disability under the Persian Gulf War presumption, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is due to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's IBS has been manifested by symptoms indicating overall moderate impairment, to include occasional stomach bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and frequent episodes of alternating diarrhea and constipation. However, the schedular criteria are adequate to rate his condition at all pertinent points.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his military service and granted service connection.,An initial rating of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome has been granted, reflecting frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has also remanded several issues, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations, and the Board has determined that none of these conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, IBS, and bilateral ankle disability were denied. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted a noncompensable rating as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's IBS was found to warrant a rating of 30 percent prior to January 29, 2015. The Board also referred the issue of an extraschedular rating for IBS to VA for consideration.