IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim to reopen the prostatitis claim was not granted, as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The maximum schedular rating for schizoaffective disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia has been assigned.

The Board finds that the veteran's bowel disability, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during service or within one year after service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as her claim for TDIU based on these conditions, were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board found that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, aggravated by service-connected post traumatic stress disorder, did not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for IBS as secondary to PTSD was denied because the earliest date of entitlement is February 8, 2002, which is when his reopened claim was received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea, finding that there is no current disability associated with events in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to use assistive devices.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and other physical conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that she is entitled to a TDIU.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome was denied. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the condition, and there is no basis for assigning a higher evaluation under any other potentially applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's increased ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were granted. The other conditions remained at noncompensable or zero percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 21, 2001, for service connection of IBS and diverticulosis, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD prior to that date.

The Board denied all claims, including the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified stressors.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for residuals of a fracture of the left 4th and 5th ribs, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a concussion. The veteran is not entitled to any compensable ratings for these conditions based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a stomach virus, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disorder. The evidence does not support these claims as they are not related to active service.

The veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need to clarify her status with the Army Reserve. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, confirm her military status, and schedule VA examinations to assess her current level of disability.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, GERD, hypertension, and IBS are being remanded due to the need for clarification of the sufficiency of the claimed stressors in support of his PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected fracture of the eighth and ninth left ribs does not warrant a compensable disability rating, but has granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for a residual laceration scar as secondary to the fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected IBS warrants a restoration of her disability rating from 10 percent to 30 percent, effective as of when the reduction was proposed.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a stomach condition involving gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome, which was caused or aggravated by his service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's depression is found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claims of entitlement to a higher initial evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome with stomach pain and service connection for a low back disorder are remanded.