IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has referred the Veteran's claim to VA's Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation for IBS under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(1). The Director of Compensation issued an Advisory Opinion stating that an extraschedular evaluation of irritable bowel syndrome under provision of 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(1) was not warranted.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's death was attributed to multiple organ failure due to coronary artery disease, with contributory factors including cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD with IBS and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD, as there was no material weight loss or significant symptoms such as hematemesis, melena, or severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted service connection, and his IBS was granted an increased rating to 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed chronic abdominal disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pleurisy and right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found no current disability of pleurisy, but determined that the Veteran had a current disability of right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a visual disorder was denied, while his initial rating claim for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was granted with a 30% disability rating effective April 14, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran experienced severe symptoms including both diarrhea and constipation.

The Veteran's tension headaches were found to have originated during service and granted service connection. The Veteran's IBS was also found to be related to service, but the current level of severity did not warrant a higher initial disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neck injury, heat exposure, thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, skin condition, tinnitus, PTSD, gastrointestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, and sleep disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total abdominal hysterectomy with right oophorectomy and status post cholecystectomy and sigmoid colectomy, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as she did not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to her service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence of unemployability prior to December 2, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's irritable bowel disease (IBS) is not causally related to his service or to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, service connection for IBS was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected dysthymic disorder, spina bifida occulta with discogenic low back pain and lumbosacral strain, and irritable bowel syndrome. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a digestive disorder, including IBS, and TDIU benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding no evidence of its occurrence during service or a link to a pre-existing condition.

The Board has granted service connection for peptic ulcer disease with esophagitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome. The effective date of this grant is June 6, 2002.

The Board denied entitlement to extra-schedular consideration for chronic lumbosacral strain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome with lactose intolerance (IBS) was denied by the Board, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7319.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's IBS and colitis are related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claims for traumatic brain injury with headaches and blurred vision, residuals of right finger injury, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded for further development.