In order to prove that your military service caused your IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), you‘ll need to show a clear connection.
If you had IBS during your service or after leaving the military, your medical records should confirm it, and your service records should show if anything worsened it during service.
Having these records is a necessity if you need to prove your IBS is a service-connected disability. A Veterans Affairs Disability benefits claims lawyer from the team at Marc Whitehead & Associates can tell you more about getting the benefits you need from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Proving Your IBS Is a Service-Connected Disability
To obtain VA benefits for your irritable bowel syndrome, it’s not enough to show that the symptoms of your IBS are the cause of your disability.
You’ll also need to show a nexus, or a link that connects your disability to a specific in-service event, injury, or illness. In many cases, an attorney from Marc Whitehead & Associates can help you obtain medical evidence showing that you have the condition and that it came from your time in service.
Your claim should include a nexus letter from your physician(s). A nexus letter is a letter to the VA explaining the service connection associated with your IBS. The opinion should be based on the veteran’s service medical and professional records, as well as their medical history before or following their service.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 562-9830
Do You Have to Prove Your IBS Is a Service-Connected Disability?
Not all veterans must demonstrate that their IBS is service–related. Certain veterans, including Gulf War veterans and former POWs, have a higher incidence of IBS than other veterans. For these people, IBS is a presumptive condition, which could make it much easier to prove you qualify for VA Disability benefits.
You can learn more about your ability to qualify for benefits from the team at Marc Whitehead & Associates. Our law firm knows how to help Gulf War veterans and those who need to establish a service connection for their condition.
What if the VA Denies Your IBS Disability Claim?
The VA denies many initial disability claims for IBS and other conditions. In this situation, you can turn to the team at Marc Whitehead & Associates for help during the appeals process.
Your attorney can explain what you need to do to appeal a VA decision, potentially getting the agency to overturn its initial denial in order to provide the benefits you earned through your service.
A lawyer may focus on providing additional evidence to show the severity of your condition or taking other steps to assist with your appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About VA Disability Benefits and IBS
The team at Marc Whitehead & Associates can provide you with fast answers to any questions you have about getting VA compensation for gastrointestinal issues like IBS. For example, you can reach out for answers to questions like:
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the normal function of the large intestine. Symptoms of IBS can include abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. The precise cause of IBS isn’t fully understood. Some of the factors that appear to play a part in the onset of IBS include:
- Weakened muscle contractions in the large intestines
- Abnormalities in the function of the nerves of the large intestines
- Bacterial or parasitic infections
- Stress
- Changes in gut microbes
While IBS may cause discomfort, it does not result in permanent harm to the intestines. Only a small number of people with IBS experience severe symptoms. Symptoms of IBS can often be controlled through diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. Currently, there is no cure for IBS.
The VA rates Irritable Bowel Syndrome under 38 C.F.R. 4.114, diagnostic code 7319 for Irritable Colon Syndrome (spastic colitis, mucous colitis, etc.). Symptoms of IBS are classified as mild, moderate, or severe under the VA rating criteria.
What’s the VA Disability Rating for IBS?
The maximum VA rating for IBS is 30%, which is assigned for severe symptoms. Milder cases may receive a 10% or 0% rating.
However, you may get a higher rating if you have another disabling condition. The higher your disability rating, the higher the amount of compensation you’ll receive in benefits.
Is IBS Associated with Any Secondary Conditions?
Secondary conditions, or secondary claims, are conditions caused or aggravated by a service-related disability. IBS is often associated with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other mental health issues that affect veterans. You can get more benefits if you file a secondary claim for IBS along with your primary claim for PTSD.
Get the Full VA Disability Compensation You Deserve for IBS
Do you need to know how to prove your IBS is a service-connected disability? You can work with our team at Marc Whitehead & Associates to gather evidence proving you have IBS and that it connects directly to an event in your military service.
If your claim for disability compensation from the VA has been denied or you failed to receive the rating you feel your disability warrants, you have a right to appeal the VA’s decision.
Marc Whitehead is a certified VA Disability claims attorney who has helped veterans get the benefits they deserve for their service–related disabilities.
We will work closely with you and your primary healthcare providers to assemble the evidence needed to establish the cause and extent of your service-related impairments. Working with an experienced VA Disability attorney may improve the chances of your claim being approved on appeal.
Call or text (800) 562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
