IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's compensation benefits effective November [redacted], 2003, based on his conviction for a felony is proper.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spinal strain, arthritis of the neck and shoulders, residuals of fractures of the left 7th-11th ribs, and rheumatoid arthritis. The appeals were not granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claims or establish service connection.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been manifested by frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress and diarrhea. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for gastroenteritis and granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Florida Hospital South and providing a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from working. The issues of service connection for neuropathy, neurogenic bladder, IBS secondary to migraine headaches, depression, and alcoholism secondary to PTSD are also inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a hearing and need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravates her gastrointestinal disorders (GERD and IBS).

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, which include a shell fragment wound of the posterior right hemithorax with resection of two ribs and lobectomy, and muscle groups II and IV injuries of the right scapula.

The Veteran's IBS and dermatitis of the neck were granted initial compensable ratings, while his claims for knee DJD, left ankle sprain, muscle pain, and insomnia are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, an increased rating for peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and a prior effective date for PUD. The Veteran was also denied secondary service connection for hiatal hernia, cholecystectomy, irritable bowel syndrome, right hip subtrochanteric bursitis, and anxiety with panic attacks.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service records and conducting medical examinations, is necessary to properly adjudicate these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim for a higher rating for right knee strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, IBS, sinusitis, and chronic allergic rhinitis. The Veteran was not granted any disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right pleural cavity with partial resection of ribs eight and nine, as well as his bilateral hearing loss from December 11, 2007 to the present, was denied. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent is assigned for the gunshot wound condition.

The Veteran's GERD/Barrett's esophagus and gallbladder disease were not shown to be related to service, and the Board found no evidence of onset during service. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are denied as there is no credible evidence that they began in service.,PTSD and IBS claims are both pending due to insufficient information.

The Veteran's IBS and gastrointestinal disorder were not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, but denied a retroactive effective date earlier than May 19, 2004.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been rated at the maximum schedular rating since March 2, 2006. The left foot disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a diagnosed mental condition, including PTSD. The claims for sexual dysfunction and gastrointestinal conditions were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or relationship to service. The claim for acid reflux was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The back condition and tinnitus claims were similarly denied.