IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome most nearly approximates symptoms of severe disability, warranting a 30 percent rating. The appeal is granted as to this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, shortness of breath, and bilateral pes planus are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, depressive disorder with anxiety, and bilateral ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, and shoulder disabilities due to undiagnosed illness or in-service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his hearing loss and migraine headaches/IBS disabilities, as well as to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and IBS are related to service, with aggravation during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The initial evaluation for IBS remains on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, had onset in service and is now granted. The claim of secondary service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS with GERD is predominantly manifested by alternating diarrhea and constipation, with complaints of more or less constant abdominal distress. The Board finds that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted throughout the applicable period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates, finding no new evidence to reopen or support service connection for various conditions. The appeals were dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's skeletal conditions, including knees, fractured ribs, a scarred lung, and hip, are not related to service.

The Veteran's stomach and intestinal disorder, diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome, had its onset during his service in Vietnam. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no credible evidence of a head injury or neck injury during his active duty. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in service.,There is also no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or seizure disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a new and material condition.

The Board has raised doubts about the Veteran's diagnoses of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome, requiring further examination to determine if these conditions are present. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. Further development is needed to determine if the gastrointestinal disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bowel disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including determining the appropriate diagnostic codes for his fibromyalgia manifestations and considering if combining separate ratings would provide a higher evaluation than the current 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and his withdrawal of his appeal. The case is now returned to the RO with instructions to verify whether the Veteran still wants to pursue his claims, request relevant SSA records, obtain any private or VA treatment records, and schedule additional VA examinations if requested.

The Veteran's claims for viral pericarditis, gastrointestinal disorder, and heart disorders are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for bilateral upper extremity paresthesias is remanded.