The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and bowel incontinence, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The decision found that the Veteran's pre-existing IBS did not warrant an increase in evaluation, while his current bowel incontinence warranted a 30% evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's pre-existing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) did not warrant an increased rating as it was already at its maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board also found that the Veteran's occasional bowel incontinence warranted a 30% evaluation, but noted that this condition existed prior to service and had been aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- irritable bowel syndrome, bowel incontinence
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0933818
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0933818.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bowel incontinence is rated at 60 percent, but not more. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to January 18, 2013.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for adhesions as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no nexus between the claimed condition and service or a service-connected disability.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than July 18, 2024, for the awards of service connection for tinnitus, tension headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome have been dismissed.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for depression, Gram Positive Cocci Condition, chronic bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diseases of Keratinization due to untimely filing of the Decision Review Request.
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