IBS & irritable bowel — all decisions

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 2024, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied earlier effective dates for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities as well as allergic rhinitis.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and tinnitus, while denying service connection for various other disabilities including the right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, heart, respiratory, kidney, venous thrombosis, urinary hesitancy, acute metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep disturbance, abdominal distension, atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, neurological disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile dysfunction, stroke, skin disability, fibromyalgia, bilateral foot pain, hammer toes, tinea pedis, meningitis, GERD, traumatic brain injury, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and IBS have precluded his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 1, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) under the PACT Act and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for IBS based on a theory other than presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and remanded claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypertension.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for chronic headaches with migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate moderate severity.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to obtain private medical records.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded claims for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations.

All appeals for ratings in excess of the current ratings or service connection were dismissed due to impermissible concurrent elections.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for IBS and a higher rating in excess of 30 percent, but granted an effective date of September 16, 2009, for service connection for recurrent bronchitis.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the service-connected GERD with diverticulitis, IBS, and unspecified stomach distress prior to July 12, 2022, in excess of 10 percent prior to May 11, 2023, and in excess of 30 percent on and thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for enlarged prostate and urinary frequency, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and migraine headaches.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including new examinations and readjudication.

The Board granted service connection for chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, finding that these symptoms are an undiagnosed illness associated with the Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and denied an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids and remanded the claim for further development regarding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a left knee disability as they were not related to the Veteran's active service. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain, irritable bowel syndrome, PTSD with alcohol and cannabis use disorder, right knee degenerative joint disease, and right lower extremity scar. However, service connection was granted for asthma.

The appeal for service connection for IBS, to include diarrhea with dehydration, and the appeal for an increased rating for dermatophytosis of feet have been withdrawn by the Veteran.