IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and his symptoms are more likely related to non-service-connected conditions or natural aging processes.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and joint pain. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 60 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's joint pains, including bilateral knee and shoulder pains, are found to be due to undiagnosed illness related to his service in the Persian Gulf War. The claims for genital warts, herpes, shingles with residuals of nerve and joint pains, and broken ribs were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a connection to service.

The Veteran's breast cancer is granted service connection, and her IBS is granted a 30% rating effective January 30, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes in either ear, and thus service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss. The other issues on appeal are also denied.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at 30 percent since November 8, 2011. The rating is in accordance with the criteria for moderate symptoms with diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation.

The Veteran's residuals of broken ribs have been rated at a 10 percent disability rating, the highest possible under the applicable criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sexual impotency, but remanded the remaining claims due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is not shown to have current diagnoses or symptoms related to dyspepsia, cervical condition, IBS, lower back condition, urinary incontinence, or liver condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder are related to his in-service stressors, while the service connection for IBS is granted based on direct evidence. The effective date of the decision has not been determined.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome should be May 13, 2009, as it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred within one year before the claim was received by VA on May 6, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including additional VA examinations and consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including gastrointestinal and lower leg disorders, were granted with an initial noncompensable rating. The Veteran's headaches claim resulted in a higher initial compensable rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current colon disorders, including diverticulitis/diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome, were not caused or aggravated by his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal on the claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded to allow consideration of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran prior to a decision in March 2012. The issue of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to March 15, 2011 did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, IBS as due to undiagnosed illness, headaches as due to undiagnosed illness, and muscle fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness. The left foot disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for irritable bowel syndrome is granted as it is found to be directly related to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need to consider evidence submitted in response to a VHA medical expert opinion, and the Veteran's request not to waive AOJ consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS, migraines, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral hip disability are granted due to the presumptive provisions applicable to Persian Gulf War veterans.