IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing. The specific issues of service connection and evaluation remain unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and IBS, finding that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore denied entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for post-operative residuals of extramedullary plasmacytoma with deviation of the nasal septum and recurrence in the left hip and ribs is being remanded due to outstanding evidence that needs to be obtained.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed headaches and fractured ribs were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected residuals of a cholecystectomy with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis, finding that she was already receiving the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations of residuals from a right hamstring tear, irritable bowel syndrome with GERD, and right knee ACL reconstruction have been denied. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, GERD, hypertension, or IBS. The claims have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression and anxiety, headaches, residuals of infarction of the left cerebellum (including facial numbness and facial paresthesia), and irritable bowel syndrome.,An initial evaluation of 30 percent for headaches is granted effective June 29, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hypertension, finding that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 due to his service in the Persian Gulf War, and that his hypertension may be presumed as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317. The Board also found that there was no direct or secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board finds that an effective date of November 26, 1997, is warranted for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the reduction of benefits due to incarceration was proper and that the other claims were not supported by evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for enucleation of the right eye, residuals of a right shoulder injury, and residuals of a fractured left forearm, facial bones, and ribs due to his service-connected hepatitis.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including ulcer, GERD, and IBS with chronic constipation. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion regarding whether her current gastrointestinal disorder began in service or was caused by her service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic disability manifested by joint pain, fatigue, irritable bowel and/or chest pain did not have its onset during service or is otherwise related to his military service. The claim was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder, and the GERD and IBS residuals did not meet criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent. The left thumb amputation was rated appropriately based on symptoms and history.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and bowel incontinence, as well as their impact on his ability to work. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.