IBS & irritable bowel — all decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development regarding potential exposure to PFAS firefighting foam and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his shoulder conditions.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective dates are February 18, 2014 for SMC and February 19, 2014 for DEA.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which was granted a permanent and total rating from February 18, 2014. This resulted in the assignment of earlier effective dates for both SMC and DEA benefits.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD secondary to MST is dismissed. The claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, IBS, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of left hip strain, right hip strain, and gastrointestinal condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability is granted. The claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and dysuria/polyuria are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran received a 60 percent rating for GERD since March 21, 2015, and a 30 percent rating for IBS since the same date. A more than 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder was denied as of June 6, 2024.

The Veteran's claims for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis are denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder radiculopathy secondary to cervical degenerative joint disease is granted. The Board finds the evidence at least equipoise on whether his current condition is due to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for COPD and a right shoulder disability are remanded as there was no VA examination conducted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. No one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at a 30 percent rating effective June 1, 2021. The Board found the evidence supported this rating based on his symptoms of alternating diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD is denied for ratings in excess of the currently assigned ones.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for essential tremors, left and right hand cubital tunnel syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and GERD, Barrett's Esophagus with Irritable Bowel Syndrome due to inconsistencies in previous VA examinations and the need for further clarification of his symptoms.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, is granted as service-connected due to exposure during the Gulf War.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and bowel disturbances (IBS) due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The AOJ needs to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for the Veteran's IBS, finding that his symptoms most nearly approximate moderate impairment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% evaluation, effective December 2, 2021. The other conditions remain at their current evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected IBS is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further assessment of the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's IBS is caused by his service-connected psychiatric conditions, and the Board has granted service connection for IBS on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot condition was not aggravated by his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims for service connection for an eye condition, OSA, IBS, and left ankle strain are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for their service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied. The current rating of 30 percent, based on the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7319, reflects symptoms such as abdominal pain related to defecation at least once per week and changes in stool frequency or form.