IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD is not shown to be productive of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia. Therefore, the claim for a higher evaluation than 30 percent for GERD has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current stomach disorder is related to service or service-connected Bell's palsy.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and assigned an initial 30 percent rating, effective July 13, 1996. The claim for service connection for patellar tendinitis of the left knee was denied.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD. The Veteran's service treatment records show in-service complaints of various gastrointestinal symptoms, but no definitive diagnosis or treatment for GERD.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, nonservice-connected death pension, and accrued benefits. The decision found no evidence linking the Veteran's fatal heart attack to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and a Persian Gulf examination. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome is denied as the criteria were not factually ascertainable prior to August 15, 2001.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the head, broken ribs, trench foot, and tear gas exposure are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing current disabilities related to these conditions.,There is no evidence of any current disability associated with the claimed shrapnel wound to the head or exposure to tear gas. Service connection for these issues is not warranted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of broken ribs and trench foot are also denied as there is no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis or IBS, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims for increased evaluations for right shoulder bursitis and GERD were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS and GERD are manifested by symptoms productive of severe impairment of health, warranting a 60 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely submitted, and the RO has been instructed to re-adjudicate his claim with an opportunity for him to provide evidence of a change in address prior to the expiration of the appeal period.

The Board granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including colon polyps, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and GERD. The decision noted that the Veteran had various gastrointestinal disorders since 1997 but did not find any evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome with colon polyps and diverticulosis have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including migraines, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, skin rash, and joint aches, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or an undiagnosed illness related to his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War era.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's compression fracture, T9, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, PTSD, tinnitus, and IBS. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ventricular hypertrophy with diastolic dysfunction, hypertension, and mitral valve regurgitation and dilated cardiomyopathy. The Veteran's diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome are not currently service connected.

The Board dismissed the appellant's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include depression. The appeals were withdrawn by the appellant prior to the Board's decision.