IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board finds the medical evidence of record is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are manifested by the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet. As a result, the claim for certification of eligibility for automotive and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Veteran's initial disability evaluations for diabetes mellitus type I and irritable bowel syndrome were denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the assigned ratings.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD and IBS, which she claims are related to her PTSD. The case has been remanded due to a hearing issue.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, IBS, and cervical spine disorder have been denied as the evidence does not support higher evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (residuals of a low back injury, bilateral pes planus, irritable bowel with constipation, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia) preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, a nervous disorder, headaches, a sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to undiagnosed illness were denied. The Board notes that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of bilateral inguinal hernia, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's service-connected idiopathic hypersomnolence is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847 for persistent day-time hypersomnolence.,The Veteran's service-connected IBS warrants a 10 percent disability rating based on moderate symptoms with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for irritable bowel syndrome and a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain have been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is November 26, 1997.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a personal hearing. The Board cannot decide the appeal until she has been afforded this opportunity.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's IBS.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, including diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is not service connected and there is no compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) and IBS were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD or IBS, nor could he establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for 1151 compensation is granted as her gall bladder surgery in February 1997 resulted in additional disability, and the proximate cause of this disability was reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has withdrawn the appellant's appeal for PTSD and denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, as well as IBS. The Board found no nexus between the appellant's active military duty and his currently shown psychiatric disorders or IBS.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of a disability manifested by right side pain, to include irritable bowel syndrome. The Board finds that the current claimed condition is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed stressors and obtain medical records. The Board will then determine if he has a current psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's claim for a separate evaluation for diverticulitis was denied, and his current rating of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, H-pylori, and diverticulitis is upheld. The issue of increased ratings for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis remains pending.