IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion from the January 2010 examiner to address the onset and etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Board has ordered the case back for further examination and readjudication due to procedural issues, including the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a stomach disorder characterized by diarrhea is granted as his IBS, diagnosed after service, is considered to be the result of disease or injury incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's IBS with duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia has been rated at 30 percent since June 5, 2013.

The Veteran sustained fractures to his right ribs during service and the healed fractures represent current disability. The Board finds that service connection for residuals of fractures of lower right ribs (ribs 10 through 12) is warranted, granting the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for further development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms are related to his Gulf War service and whether they qualify for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and other GI conditions such as IBS, duodenal ulcer, peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis, is granted. The Board finds that these conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's IBS is related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, and he has a presumptive claim for this condition. The Board also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression) based on evidence that it may be related to fear of hostile military activity during service. Service connection was denied for the gastroesophageal disorder due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at a maximum of 30 percent, which satisfies his appeal for an initial higher disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide the Veteran with proper notice of his scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his lumbar spine disability and stomach disorder.

The Veteran's IBS was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to November 17, 2011 and since then has been rated at 30 percent. The nose fracture residuals have also been granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and IBS are found to be related to service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for a VA examination to determine if he needs aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, and urinary condition/prostatitis will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, with one disability rated at 60 percent (PTSD) and combined rating of 70 percent. The Board finds that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the left leg and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right leg.