IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Social Security Administration and scheduling a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from November 23, 2009 to March 16, 2010 and at 50% thereafter. The IBS with associated GERD was rated at 30%. Both conditions were granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IBS/colitis was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of severe ulcerative colitis or malnutrition, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7323. The current rating of 30 percent is the highest available based on the criteria set forth in Diagnostic Code 7319.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as any associated service treatment records. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the current status of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, and lower intestinal disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of his claim for left hip disability which was granted. The effective dates for both IBS and left hip disability are set at the date each claim was received.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied because the emergency room visit on July 11, 2010, did not meet the criteria for an emergency medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and colitis, as well as increased ratings for migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of dental trauma other than already service-connected jaw locking. The claim for service connection for IBS is denied as it is not established that the condition is secondary to her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine the appropriate disability rating for his service-connected Reiter's syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for post-operative residuals of fusion of the cervical ribs, thoracic outlet syndrome, right and left upper extremities is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. A new VA examination is required to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, left shoulder impingement syndrome, urinary incontinence, posterior fistulotomy, status post hemangioma liver with scars, diverticulitis, and retinaculum removal are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable (0%) disability evaluation for her service-connected lipoma removal scar.

The Veteran's IBS was rated at 30 percent from February 27, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximated severe symptomatology of diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA records, particularly regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's colon cancer.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic constipation is presumed related to her active duty service, and grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, IBS (claimed as amebic dysentery), hiatal hernia, and peptic ulcer. The evidence shows that these conditions had their onset during active duty service and are related to such service.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS, residuals of a gastrointestinal disorder, resulted in a higher initial disability rating from February 26, 2013. The temporary total disability rating based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence for his IBS was granted from July 18, 2006 to August 31, 2006.

The Veteran's left ankle lateral instability is rated at 20 percent from February 8, 2008 to April 28, 2009. The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent effective since the date of his claim.

The Veteran is granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral knee constipation secondary to her service-connected left ankle disability. Service connection for a lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral hip, or bilateral knee disabilities are not established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome or any other qualifying chronic disability that could be presumed due to undiagnosed illness in the Gulf War environment.