IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The veteran's combined disability rating was at least 60% since January 1995, qualifying him for retroactive payment of benefits for a dependent spouse. The RO's decision in April 2002 did not finalize the determination to pay the veteran as a single person with no dependents.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, personal relations, and mood. The veteran's IBS is 'severe' and interferes with employment.

The veteran's gastrointestinal disability, diagnosed as peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, residuals status post cholecystectomy, and hiatal hernia, is rated at 30 percent prior to October 18, 2004. From that date, a rating of 30 percent has been granted for the gastrointestinal disability. The veteran's abdominal and surgical scars are also rated at 30 percent since March 19, 2007.

The veteran's lumbar spondylolisthesis and lumbosacral scar are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The appeal has been granted.

The veteran's skin disorder of the feet, gastrointestinal disorders (dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to service or secondary to service-connected PTSD. The veteran was granted a 50% evaluation for his PTSD.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, fatigue, and eye disorder are presumed to have been incurred during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Sinusitis is not considered a qualifying chronic disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess service connection claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis status post surgery, prostate surgery residuals, and a low back condition. The evidence did not show any link between these conditions and military service or exposure to radiation.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of internal derangement of the left knee, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and sinusitis/rhinosinusitis were denied. The current ratings are 10% each.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia with GERD, status-post gallbladder removal and IBS, as well as bilateral plantar fasciitis, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the right arm and hand (major) based on moderate incomplete paralysis. The claim of service connection for fibromyalgia with immune system failure is reopened due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's service connection claims for irritable bowel syndrome, anemia, and a great toe disorder (exostosis) have been granted. The veteran also has service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left heel spur with plantar fasciitis, gastrointestinal reflux disease, and hemorrhoids. His right ear hearing loss is rated as compensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 10 percent, and finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's service-connected IBS is manifested by disturbances of bowel function with occasional episodes of abdominal distress. The VA examiner noted a September 2003 episode of diarrhea lasting three weeks during military service and the last reported episode was in October 2004, after separation from service. There are no current episodes of explosive diarrhea or constipation as described by the veteran's representative.

The veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, and joint pain and body aches have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support these claims on any basis.,Specifically, there is no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss or GERD, and the veteran's IBS, fatigue, and joint pain and body aches are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability, bowel incontinence, and bladder incontinence are not related to his active service or any incident therein. The erectile dysfunction was also not connected to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD with secondary major depression was granted a higher initial evaluation of 50 percent effective November 7, 2005. Service connection for an eye condition is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no current diagnosis or treatment records for an irritable bowel syndrome.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome claim was denied, while his post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for IBS with stomach removal due to hookworm infestation and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim.