IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. He is now entitled to compensation for a gastrointestinal disorder, including duodenitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticulitis; PTSD; an acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding psychosis, personality disorder, schizophrenia, and alcohol abuse); right ear hearing loss; left ear hearing loss; and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via video conference at his local RO. The issues of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and alcoholism are pending.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was aggravated by his service-connected major depression with anxiety, and the criteria for service connection have been satisfied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids prior to October 18, 2012, has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in March 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and fibromyalgia were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic gastritis with IBS and hemorrhoids have been granted, with the rating for gastritis now at 30 percent and the rating for hemorrhoids now at 20 percent effective October 24, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as his disability is not deemed to be proximately due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, the highest schedular rating available for IBS under DC 7319. The Board denied a higher initial rating and did not find extraschedular consideration warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed overactive bladder disorder and IBS are secondary to her service-connected fibromyalgia, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, vision disability, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), were denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbosacral strain, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The effective date for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent as it affects less than 40% of his total body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD and IBS are not shown to be directly related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Waco, Texas. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings and reopening service connection claims are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and IBS are not related to his service or service-connected PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected positional obstructive sleep apnea with periodic limb movement disorder. The issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and long-term diarrhea due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying, chronic disability pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 has been reopened on new evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of any digestive disability, to include peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran's claims folder should be referred to the November 2011 VA examiner or another suitably qualified VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his combined disability rating of 90% supports the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) or a Decision Review Officer (DRO).