IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for development of additional evidence, including obtaining records of treatment at a local emergency department and Boise VAMC. The Veteran is to have a new VA examination to determine current manifestations of his digestive system disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include secondary service connection for a right knee disorder, residuals of pleurodesis for pneumothorax, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, gastritis, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for scoliosis. The claim for increased evaluation for GERD and IBS prior to January 11, 2012 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for osteochondroma right femur, pulmonary tuberculosis, obstruction of teeth, and chronic colon/irritable bowel problems have been granted. The claims were reopened based on new evidence but the merits of these claims are not addressed as no new facts were provided.

The Board found that the Veteran's IBS is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to the appellant's failure to provide necessary identifying information and releases for critical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal and low back disabilities do not render him unemployable for VA purposes, as he is capable of performing sedentary work despite his symptoms.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including determining whether a specific in-service stressor exists and corroborating it.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new opinion on whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by her service-connected IBS.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work during the period from September 18, 2006 to March 23, 2010.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that he developed these conditions during service in the Persian Gulf War, but there was no direct evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran withdrew her increased rating claims for the listed disabilities and her claim for a TDIU before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS is a separate disability from, and was aggravated by, his service-connected fibromyalgia. The low back disability claim will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and gastrointestinal disorder (spastic colon and IBS), finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by service. Service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's IBS symptoms are attributable to her service-connected celiac disease and therefore denied separate service connection for IBS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulosis with IBS was denied in 1991. The case was reopened and the Veteran was granted service connection on July 29, 2005. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not assignable.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and lumbar spine disabilities were not related to service or to an incident of service origin, and thus denied his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome was denied, as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a rating of 60 percent for prostatitis effective February 20, 2013.