Many veterans have skilled digestive-system-related medical points on account of their time within the navy. One of the crucial frequent is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In the event you’re a veteran and the signs of your IBS stop you from working, you might be able to get incapacity compensation by means of the VA. Nevertheless, so as to obtain these advantages, you’ll have to have the ability to show that there’s a connection between your IBS and your service within the navy.
What’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a typical gastrointestinal dysfunction that impacts the traditional operate of the big gut. Signs of IBS can embrace stomach ache, cramping, bloating, gasoline, constipation, and diarrhea. The exact explanation for IBS isn’t absolutely understood. A few of the components that seem to play a component within the onset of IBS embrace:
- Weakened muscle contractions within the massive intestines
- Abnormalities within the operate of the nerves of the big intestines
- Bacterial and Parasitic Infections
- Stress
- Modifications in intestine microbes
Whereas IBS could trigger discomfort, it doesn’t lead to everlasting hurt to the intestines. Solely a small variety of folks with IBS expertise extreme signs. Signs of IBS could be managed by means of eating regimen, stress administration, and prescribed drugs. Presently, there is no such thing as a remedy for IBS.
The VA charges Irritable Bowel Syndrome beneath 38 C.F.R. 4.114 diagnostic code 7319 for Irritable Colon Syndrome (spastic colitis, mucous colitis, and so forth.). Signs of IBS are categorized as delicate, average, or extreme beneath the VA ranking standards.
Qualifying for VA Incapacity Advantages for IBS
To acquire incapacity advantages on your IBS, it’s not sufficient to point out that the signs of your IBS are the reason for your incapacity. You have to additionally be capable of set up a connection between your sickness and your navy service. You’ll want to point out a nexus — a hyperlink that connects your incapacity to a selected in-service occasion, damage, or sickness.
Your declare ought to embrace a nexus letter out of your doctor(s). A nexus letter is a letter to the VA explaining how your IBS was incurred or induced throughout service. The opinion must be based mostly on the veteran’s service medical {and professional} information, in addition to their medical historical past earlier than or following their service.
Not all veterans should show that their IBS is service-related. Sure veterans, together with Gulf Struggle veterans and former POWs, have a better incidence of IBS than different veterans. For these veterans, there’s a presumption that your IBS is service-connected, which can make it a lot simpler to show you qualify for advantages.
Even when you show your IBS is service-connected, you’ll solely be capable of obtain a 30 p.c incapacity ranking. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to get the total incapacity ranking you deserve. The upper your incapacity ranking, the upper the quantity of compensation you’ll obtain in advantages.
Secondary circumstances, or secondary claims, are circumstances made worse by a service-related incapacity. IBS is commonly related to PTSD and different psychological well being points that have an effect on veterans. A secondary declare for IBS, together with a main declare for PTSD, may help enhance your incapacity ranking, getting you extra advantages.
Get the Full VA Incapacity Compensation You Deserve
In case your declare for incapacity compensation from the VA has been denied, otherwise you did not obtain the ranking you’re feeling your incapacity warrants, you will have a proper to attraction the VA’s determination. Marc Whitehead is an authorized VA incapacity claims lawyer who has helped veterans get the advantages they deserve for his or her service-related disabilities. He’ll work intently with you and your main healthcare suppliers to assemble the proof wanted to ascertain the trigger and extent of your service-related impairments. Working with an skilled VA incapacity lawyer enormously improves the possibilities of your declare being authorised on attraction.
You solely have a restricted time through which to file an attraction with the VA. The earlier we get to work the higher. Contact Marc Whitehead & Associates by means of our web site, or name us at (800) 562-9830 to debate your VA incapacity declare at present.
