IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to an inadequate examination in determining that he was not entitled to benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, left elbow disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than dysthymic disorder with anxiety) to include PTSD and depression have been granted. The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and irritable bowel syndrome to include as being due to chemical exposure prior to the Board's decision.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding it to be related to service due to Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and lumbosacral strain, which he contends began in service. The case was remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's skin condition and joint condition are not service connected. The Veteran's IBS is granted on a direct basis, as it had onset in service. GERD is also granted on a direct basis, as the Veteran reported symptoms since 1993.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his ilioinguinal nerve entrapment syndrome and costochondritis of the left ribs do not warrant higher ratings based on their current manifestations. The Veteran's chronic eye disorder (to include vision disorder) remains unconnected to service.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches have been rated at 30 percent disabling since October 15, 2001.,The Veteran's service-connected IBS has been rated at 30 percent disabling since March 1, 2002.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, gastritis, IBS, familial tremors, and lung scarring, all claimed to be due to radiation exposure. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have perennial allergies during active service and her right knee disorder is not related to her left knee disorder or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-infective IBS is related to his service, specifically a viral syndrome he experienced in May 1990 while on active duty. The VA medical expert opinion supports this finding and grants service connection for IBS.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 1, 2002 for the grant of service connection for IBS was granted. The issue of a separate rating for IBS is also pending and will be addressed in a future decision.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rated at a maximum of 30 percent, effective September 9, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for a digestive disorder, shoulder disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was initially granted with a noncompensable rating, and later upgraded to a 10 percent rating since June 26, 2008. The claimant has been found competent to report his symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, rectal polyp, reflux esophagitis, hematochezia, gastritis, and duodenal ulcer (claimed as abdominal pain) has been granted by the RO in August 2010. The issue of service connection for a chronic abdominal disorder to include an abdominal growth, post-operative colon polyp residuals, and irritable bowel syndrome is now moot.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is manifested by constant constipation and abdominal distress without diarrhea, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied. The Board found that the diabetes mellitus was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault during his 1996 VA hospitalization. Cardiomegaly and a back disorder are not service-connected. The Veteran's esophagitis is not manifested by ulceration of the lower esophagus, no dilations have been required, and it does not meet criteria for a separate compensable rating. GERD with IBS does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.