IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran asserts that he has had symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome since service. The VA examiner must determine if the current diagnosis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for service-connected conjunctivitis has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and address the issues of hypertension, fatigue, headache disorder, and other claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and IBS. The medical opinions provided do not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, IBS, and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis with right maxillary cysts and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including as secondary to medications taken for her service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development and an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, benign hand tremors, and IBS, are found to be of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with cavus foot formation, folliculitis and contact dermatitis, GERD, IBS, CFS, and lumbar degenerative disk disease. Service connection is denied for the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and neck.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and TDIU, but denied an earlier effective date and a compensable rating. The Veteran's combined disability rating was 70% prior to November 17, 2003.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD and Crohn's colitis disability was rated at 60 percent prior to December 1, 2015. From that date onwards, the rating for her gastrointestinal disorder increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder is rated at 70% since April 13, 2015.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20% since February 20, 2015.,The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30% since February 20, 2015.,The Veteran's hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet remains rated at 10%.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to have been productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more with required continuous medication for control. The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease is shown to have been productive of symptoms that include abdominal pain, heartburn, diarrhea, regurgitation, and GERD.

The Veteran's GERD, including irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and hiatal hernia, has been rated as 10 percent disabling since May 11, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as a SMC claim. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for migraines and chronic fatigue syndrome or SEID. The other claims were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected IBS and post-operative rectal/anal stricture. The Board also granted a 30 percent initial rating for IBS, effective from December 18, 2012.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury to Muscle Group III, finding that her disability picture more nearly approximates a moderate muscle injury. The claimant is not entitled to a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a moderately severe or severe muscle injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues raised by the Court, including the need for further development regarding service connection for a low back disorder secondary to irritable bowel syndrome with collagenous colitis. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination and additional records are to be obtained.