The Veteran's service connection for IBS was granted with an effective date of June 18, 2014. An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) prior to December 2, 2014 and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter were granted. The Veteran's headaches received an initial 30 percent rating, with no more than this level. His skin disability was rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. A reduction in his neck disability rating from 30% to 20% was found improper and void ab initio. An increased rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted, as well as a compensable rating for a surgical neck scar.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS was timely filed within one year of separation from active duty, allowing the effective date to be set at the date of receipt of his application. His psychiatric disorder received an initial 50 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, memory impairment, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.
- Claimed conditions
- IBS, Psychiatric Disorder (PTSD), Headache Disability, Skin Disability (Actinic Keratosis and Squamous Cell Carcinoma), Neck Disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- February 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19112205
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,948 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19112205.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Granted
A 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, and service connection for hypertension is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there is no current diagnosis of IBS or symptoms at any time during the pendency of the claim.
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