IBS & irritable bowel — all decisions

The veteran's claims for service-connection for right knee strain, left knee joint pain, cervicothoracic syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, was dismissed. An initial 10 percent disability rating for left rib costochondritis was granted. Claims for dermatosis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia were remanded.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and/or opinions. The Veteran's conditions will be re-evaluated with proper diagnostic testing.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for alopecia areata was denied. The claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and service connection for urinary dysfunction with crystalluria were remanded.

The veteran's service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as a 30 percent rating for neck disability, have been granted.

The veteran's appeal for service connection and rating for C-section scar and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was dismissed because the veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for various conditions due to inadequate examinations and missing records.

The veteran's request for an increased rating for PTSD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. However, the veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus and a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome, both effective October 16, 2022.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, IBS, ED, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The Board found that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disorder was denied. The veteran was granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. Several other claims were remanded.

Service connection for IBS is granted under the PACT Act. The issues of left and right hip disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle pain, reduced the rating for bilateral hearing loss to zero percent, and denied compensable ratings for chronic sinusitis, bilateral tinea pedis, and hypertension. The claims for IBS, foot pain, hand pain, dry eyes, and increased ratings for knee arthritis were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or link to military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1) was granted based on her service-connected adjustment disorder and additional service-connected disability evaluated as 60 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and essential tremors were granted. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from nasal surgeries was denied. The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability was remanded.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and service connection for several conditions, citing missing records and the need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection for IBS is granted. Other conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's GERD with IBS, finding that his symptoms are severe enough to warrant this higher rating. The decision is based on the severity of his digestive symptoms including heartburn, reflux, regurgitation, and vomiting.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and remands the cases for additional clarification regarding whether the Veteran's IBS and GERD conditions were aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses to the San Francisco VA Medical Center on September 11, 2024 was granted as he met the criteria for reimbursement.