IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for IBS, finding that the current schedular rating of 30 percent adequately describes the Veteran's disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran is currently receiving the highest schedular rating for IBS, which is 30 percent. The Board finds that his symptoms have not warranted a higher rating since November 26, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection as a qualifying chronic disability due to undiagnosed illness. Service connection for depression secondary to IBS is pending.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including peptic ulcer disease and irritable bowel syndrome, is found to be related to service. The post-operative residuals of gall bladder removal and hemorrhoids are also found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher evaluations or additional benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bowel disability is related to his in-service illness, and service connection for a disability manifested by diarrhea, to include irritable bowel syndrome, is granted. The initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied as the items claimed did not qualify under VA regulations. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from a VA examiner or designee of the Undersecretary for Health.

The Veteran's IBS was rated at 30 percent from December 11, 2006 to May 21, 2013, with the Board finding that his symptoms of severe alternating diarrhea and constipation warranted this rating.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and PTSD, claiming these conditions are secondary to a right knee disability. The Board is dismissing the appeal as there is no longer an issue to decide.

The medications the Veteran took for his service-connected disabilities, including pain medication and PTSD treatment, caused his death from small bowel obstruction.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred during active duty service. The claim for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as the Veteran did not report for a scheduled VA examination, and the claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of diagnosis.

The Veteran's endometriosis has been manifested by symptoms of lesions involving bowel and bladder confirmed by laparoscopy, pelvic pain, and irregular bleeding not controlled by treatment. The Board finds that the symptomatology is more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7629.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's cause of death is being evaluated to determine if it was related to his military service.

The Veteran's DDD and DJD of the thoracic and lumbar spine were rated at 10 percent prior to April 17, 2015 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that these ratings adequately capture his disability picture.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a functional gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, joint pain with numbness of the left shoulder and neck, and folliculitis were granted as they are presumed to be due to her service in the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and therefore grants service connection for IBS on this basis.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS has been manifested by alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea with abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and reflux. The Board finds that the symptoms are more consistent with a severe disability warranting a 30 percent rating under DC 7319.

The Veteran's sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been found to be service-connected.,Right hip disability is also service-connected as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.