IBS & irritable bowel Board decisions

The veteran's claims of service connection for various injuries and disabilities were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her 100 percent evaluation for anxiety reaction with irritable bowel syndrome is well-grounded and has been granted as of March 25, 1996.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow the RO to adjudicate new claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux disease, both as secondary to PTSD. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability claim will also be readjudicated.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected rib injury and right knee disabilities, finding that the current evaluations adequately reflect her disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, gastroenteritis, right ankle disorder, and vaginitis are well-grounded. The claim for tuberculosis is not well-grounded.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and denied an increased rating for irritable bowel colitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a nervous stomach, now claimed as IBS. The Board also found that there is sufficient medical evidence to support a finding that the veteran's current IBS is related to his period of military service.

The veteran's service connection claim for right rib injuries due to a closed tube thoracostomy during active duty is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any incident therein.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain, irritable bowel syndrome, and dysplastic nevus syndrome. The veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 10 percent, his irritable bowel syndrome at 30 percent, and his dysplastic nevus syndrome remains at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, low back disability, and squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the left neck and multiple nodular goiter as secondary to service-connected bilateral suppurative otitis media. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (manifest by lactose intolerance), and pes planus with plantar fasciitis are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board found no well-grounded claims for service connection due to lack of medical evidence linking current disabilities to the veteran's inservice injuries.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected residuals of separation of the right ninth and tenth ribs from cartilage is not well grounded because there was no clinical or radiological evidence of traumatic arthritis. The disability does not include traumatic arthritis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma, intervertebral disc syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of fractures of the right 3rd and 4th ribs, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.