IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral hammertoes, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder other than hammertoes, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after these issues have been addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with a current evaluation of 20 percent. Separate compensable ratings were granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy effective from specific dates. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was also granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and non-ulcer dyspepsia, effective November 4, 2015. The Veteran previously had a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and increased ratings for GERD with bile acid gastritis and IBS have been denied. The Board found no evidence of direct service connection or secondary aggravation, and the medical opinions were against these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 25, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and a need for additional development of the medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a higher rate of DIC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her service-connected disability, as she did not meet the criteria for A&A or housebound benefits.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to February 22, 2013 due to her service-connected disabilities of irritable bowel syndrome, major depressive disorder, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, reflecting very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and colitis, was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current GI conditions to his military service or any exposure therein. For migraine headaches, the Veteran received a maximum 50 percent rating since February 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable, as she was able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a teacher's aide.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder is not etiologically related to his service, including any exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome have rendered her unemployable since October 26, 2010. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the whole body, were denied as there is no credible evidence supporting his assertions of in-service exposure to herbicides or captivity as a prisoner of war. The Veteran's statements are found to be unreliable due to inconsistencies with other evidence of record and facial implausibility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) did not pre-exist his service and was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination to assess the etiology of her skin disability, IBS, mouth sores, and back disability. The Veteran also needs an examination to determine the severity of her service-connected blepharitis of the right eye.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether any gastrointestinal disorders are related to active service or due to VA treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether the Veteran has a psychiatric disorder that began during or was caused by his military service, and if so, whether it is secondary to other conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether any gastrointestinal disorders are related to active service or due to VA treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine the nature and etiology of his dermatological or allergic disorder.,The Veteran's claim for compensation based on 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded to obtain clarification regarding whether his chronic pancreatitis was due to negligence from VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted, with a rating of 50% effective from February 27, 2012.