IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined schedular 100 percent evaluation was denied as there has been no adjustment of any evaluation assigned for service connected disabilities prior to October 30, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, psychiatric disorder (including depression and intermittent explosive disorder), right shoulder disorder (including right subscapularis myalgia), memory loss, fatigue, headaches, numbness of the hands and arms, upper gastrointestinal disorders, lower gastrointestinal disorders, hair loss, and unexplained chronic multi-system illness. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Crohn's disease and related conditions is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a GI disability was granted with a 0 percent evaluation prior to May 9, 2007. After May 9, 2007, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected GI disability.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, but granted a 70 percent rating from October 16, 2003. The claim for TDIU due to psychiatric disability is still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism requires continuous medication for control, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of specific symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, and mental sluggishness.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive symptom disorder, including gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and small hiatal hernia (claimed as stomach problems with chronic diarrhea), is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has ordered a remand for the veteran to be examined and receive an opinion regarding her gastrointestinal disability, specifically irritable bowel syndrome and colitis. The examination will determine if any current gastrointestinal disorder pre-existed service or was incurred during service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, claimed as spastic colon, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected left ear hearing loss and panic disorder without agoraphobia, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied right ear hearing loss claim. The Board also denied service connection for GERD or IBS and alcoholism.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS have been rated at 30 percent since November 8, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome are service-connected, with each condition meeting the criteria for a 10% disability rating within the applicable presumptive time period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome) is remanded for further examination.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to verify the appellant's service dates and determine if his conditions are related to active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, headaches, bilateral shoulder disorders, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total and permanent impairment, warranting a 100% rating effective from the date of his claim on November 15, 2004.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current gastrointestinal disability, including irritable bowel syndrome, related to service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.