The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 27, 2017 for the grant of service connection for IBS has also been denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration.
The deciding factor: None of the diagnostic codes for evaluating the digestive system are more appropriate in this case, as the rating criteria expressly takes into account the Veteran’s symptomatology. None of the other Diagnostic Codes regarding abdominal conditions do not afford a basis for the assignment of an initial rating higher than 30 percent in the absence of a showing of the symptoms or findings discussed.,There is no evidence the Veteran intended to file a disability compensation claim for IBS prior to May 27, 2017. The issue must be denied as there is simply no basis for awarding an effective date prior to May 27, 2017 for the grant of service connection for IBS.,The Veteran did not meet the minimum schedular requirement for a TDIU on a schedular basis and therefore his claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration.
- Claimed conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- July 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19156980
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 19156980.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee meniscal tear, and IBS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment from May 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence is in balance, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his IBS, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a moderate or severe condition as defined by VA regulations.
- Granted
The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for service-connected vitamin D deficiency, finding that the Veteran's recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea most closely approximates the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6313. The claim for service connection for IBS was not addressed in this decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's IBS with GERD was granted an initial 60 percent rating. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and development.
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