IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active duty. The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Board has determined that service connection for a recurrent gastrointestinal disorder, including diverticulosis, gastroenteritis, and IBS is not warranted as the Veteran's in-service gastrointestinal complaints were not manifestations of his currently diagnosed recurrent diverticulosis.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome has resulted in severe alternating diarrhea and constipation, which is the primary basis for her current rating. The Board finds that her hemorrhoids are secondary to her service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for residuals of bilateral photo refractive keratectomy, right wrist disability (IBS), and a disability manifested by incoordination, excessive sweating, feeling faint, feeling weak, joint pain, low energy, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. These conditions are presumed to be due to Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claimed conditions or their relationship to service.

For the entire initial rating period, the Veteran's IBS has been productive of severe symptoms including alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress. The Board finds that a disability rating of 30 percent is warranted under Diagnostic Code 7319 for the entire initial rating period from January 20, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling an RO hearing. The issues on appeal include ratings for various conditions and disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction has been granted. His right hand disability claim is now reopened, but the evidence received since the September 1968 rating decision does not meet the criteria to reopen the claim of service connection for this condition. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a bilateral foot disability have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of any current disabilities or continuity of symptoms related to the Veteran's military service.,The medical records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for hemorrhoids, GERD, IBS, or a bilateral foot disability during or within one year after the Veteran's separation from active duty. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of any earlier unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to September 18, 2006 and no factually ascertainable evidence demonstrating entitlement to TDIU prior to March 24, 2010.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing to address all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent since November 8, 2013. The effective date for the TDIU rating has been set as November 1, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's numbness of the groin and thighs is related to service, granting service connection for this condition. The gastrointestinal symptoms are being remanded as the VA examination report did not adequately address the Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service symptoms and their relation to his current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorders. The right knee disability claim was also denied. Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's myralgia paresthetica of the left thigh is rated as noncompensable, and his irritable bowel syndrome claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.,The VA did not find fault on their part in causing additional disability for either condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of medical records and opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's IBS was initially rated as noncompensable prior to March 11, 2011 and granted a 10 percent rating thereafter. The TMJ condition received an initial compensable rating prior to March 22, 2011 but was denied higher ratings.,The Veteran's IBS symptoms have been characterized by frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress since March 11, 2011.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and pancreatitis have been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are currently productive of moderate disability.