IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC. The Board finds that VA's VCAA duties to notify and assist the Veteran have been met in this case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and has also denied his request to reduce the evaluation from 20 percent to zero percent effective October 1, 2012. The Veteran is currently receiving a noncompensable evaluation for PUD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS was granted on a presumptive basis due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Gulf War. The effective date is set at June 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder did not have its onset in service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA compensation examination in connection with his service connection claim for gallbladder removal and an additional VA mental health examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development, including an examination and notification to the Veteran about alternative sources of evidence for in-service stressors, is necessary before a final decision can be made on the issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a Gulf War examination to address the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of her claimed disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board Hearing. The claims of service connection for heart disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and left spontaneous pneumothorax are pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and gastrointestinal disability (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome) are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure a complete record is available before deciding the Veteran's claim, including obtaining relevant medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's duodenal diverticulitis with irritable bowel syndrome was rated at 30 percent effective from December 12, 2011. The rating for hemorrhoids remains non-compensable.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida on December 12, 2009 are now covered by VA as it meets all criteria for emergency treatment of a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS, but denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and generalized arthralgia involving ankles, shoulders, knees and hips. The right inguinal hernia claim is also addressed.

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection as it is a qualifying chronic disability that became manifest during her active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The claim for chest pain (pulmonary embolism) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding no current disabilities or evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues listed on the title page prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's post-concussion syndrome (claimed as head injury) is currently rated at 0 percent, and the VA has not determined whether a higher rating is warranted for this condition.,The Veteran's status post fracture of ribs 6, 7, and 8 is currently rated at noncompensable. The VA has not determined whether a compensable rating is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and fatigue have been granted service connection under presumptive provisions due to his Persian Gulf War service. Service connection for granulomas of the lung has also been granted but with a noncompensable rating.