IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to April 5, 2012, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for migraine headaches (previously characterized as headaches due to undiagnosed illness) were denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability was also denied. Service connection claims for bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities were not addressed since they are not about service connection at all.

The Board found no service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, IBS, or joint and muscle pain due to lack of a showing of chronic disease during service. The claim for joint and muscle pain was denied as there were conflicting opinions regarding whether fibromyalgia should be diagnosed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability, nor does he meet criteria for a higher evaluation for his irritable bowel syndrome prior to August 22, 2013.

The Veteran's IBS is found to be related to her service and the Board grants service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected colitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an even higher 60 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7323, as he does not have malnutrition or generally poor health.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current dental disability or right ribs disability for which service connection can be granted. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's IBS is characterized by alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal pain, warranting a 30 percent rating.,While the Veteran has reported occasional rectal bleeding due to hemorrhoids, there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or secondary anemia. Therefore, his service-connected hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and IBS have been granted service connection as presumptively related to his military service in the Gulf War. The sleep disorder is considered a symptom of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking to have CUE found in rating decisions related to her service connection for tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claims are being remanded for the RO to provide a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and medical opinions regarding his gastrointestinal disabilities, including IBS. The examiner will need to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing GERD was aggravated by service and whether any current gastrointestinal disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and IBS are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS is due to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for IBS.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his initial rating for adjustment disorder, reopening of previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and knee disabilities, and service connection for tinnitus were all denied due to various procedural issues and lack of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk and use a cane.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of IBS and his symptoms are attributed to other known diagnoses. He is not entitled to service connection for IBS or chronic diarrhea with abdominal pain and flatus due to an undiagnosed illness, a qualifying chronic disability, or that his symptoms are etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has granted increased ratings for PTSD, TBI, and IBS/GERD.