IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, was granted. The effective date of the grant is set at February 13, 2008, which is also when he filed his claim to reopen. For irritable bowel syndrome, an earlier effective date is denied as it falls within the period in which the Veteran could have appealed the January 2003 denial.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for IBS and GERD were denied.,Her claim to reopen her skin rash service connection was granted, but she did not provide sufficient evidence to establish the underlying claim.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as a presumptive disability due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. His GERD, acid reflux or hiatal hernia claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral arm numbness, back disability, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The claim for right shoulder disability was not reopened due to the dishonorable discharge during his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for IBS with GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities were denied. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings.,The VA examinations conducted did not show evidence of a service connection theory other than direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia, low back disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated 30 percent for hiatal hernia with paraesophageal hernias and irritable bowel syndrome, a separate 30 percent rating for esophageal stricture, and no more than 20 percent for the service-connected low back disorder since July 11, 2011. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and his irritable bowel syndrome was initially rated at 10 percent prior to October 14, 2006. Effective January 28, 2011, the rating for irritable bowel syndrome has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have resulted in a rating of 90 percent, which is the highest possible under current regulations. The Board has determined that this rating is correct and no higher rating can be granted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and ensuring all relevant VA records are associated with the claims file. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has not been manifested by moderate symptoms, and the Board finds that the disability most nearly approximates a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's IBS is presumed to have been incurred in active service due to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a GI disorder, including GERD and irritable bowel syndrome, was denied. However, his PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective from April 8, 2010. The TDIU claim is considered granted due to the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's depression is as likely as not caused by his service-connected disorders, and the Board has granted service connection for depression on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's substantive appeal regarding service connection for various conditions was not timely filed, and the Board finds it denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including articulation disorder (hip), fatigue and low energy, hyperlipidemia, IBS, or diverticulitis. Therefore, his claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was withdrawn by the appellant. The Board has not addressed this issue further.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not established as secondary to a service-connected disability or due to a disease or injury in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, anxiety disorder, status-post PFPS of the left knee, GERD with irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, and psoriatic arthritis.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain further medical opinion evidence regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroenteritis and irritable bowel syndrome, are related to his service, specifically the lightning strike he experienced during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except peripheral neuropathy of the abdomen and irritable bowel syndrome have been remanded due to a need for further verification regarding herbicide exposure. The appeal for these two conditions has been withdrawn.