IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia is denied, as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a sebaceous cyst excision scar on the mid-back is also denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and opinions regarding whether VA's care during the April 28, 2002 hospitalization resulted in appellant's injuries.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a resection to the 10th and 11th ribs was denied. The Board found that no additional evidence warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and assigned a 30 percent evaluation effective from August 4, 1993.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for an anxiety disorder should be August 28, 1995, as this is the earliest date on which the veteran specifically requested consideration of a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has denied an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's claim for non-service connected pension benefits is remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his medical records.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected IBS and GERD, maintaining that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a ganglion cyst on her left wrist, crush injuries to her right middle finger, and skin disorders. The RO also denied claims for irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, elevated blood glucose, and hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of fractured ribs and a dental condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, concluding that the inservice symptoms were acute and transitory without residuals.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymia and panic disorder, which are found to be secondary to her service-connected cholecystectomy. The irritable bowel syndrome issue remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the fingers. The remaining issues on appeal are REMANDED to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than May 20, 1996 and a higher initial rating for irritable bowel syndrome. The disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's IBS is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this disability.

The VA denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that her endometrial cancer did not substantially or materially contribute to her death. The disability was found to be unrelated to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further examination and review of his claims file, including for an adequate VA examination regarding cervical spine disability and low back strain. The veteran also has raised additional issues that are not currently before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 1, 2002 for service connection of inflammatory bowel disease. The only basis for awarding service connection was due to a change in law that became effective on March 1, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left ear hearing loss, and essential hypertension. The decision also noted that the claim for reopening of a claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was not before the Board.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder and granted service connection for several other disorders, including hearing loss, tinnitus, pneumothorax residuals, abdomen disorder, penis numbness, and skin disorder (chloracne).