IBS and GERD

[BMCS2000]

Hi all, I am currently rated 30% for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. GERD is documented in my medical record but I never sought disability for it. Since I am already 30% for IBS, can I even get a separate rating for GERD?  I retired in 2000, and have had the IBS rating since 2006. When I've gone for increases in the past they've always had the opportunity to revisit all my rated disabilities and I'm nervous about that. Does anyone have recent similar experience? TIA, -Jim

[brokensoldier244th]

They are part of the same 'system' so you can only get a rating for one due to rules about pyramiding contentions. 

[pacmanx1]

2 hours ago, BMCS2000 said:

Since I am already 30% for IBS, can I even get a separate rating for GERD?  I retired in 2000, and have had the IBS rating since 2006. When I've gone for increases in the past they've always had the opportunity to revisit all my rated disabilities and I'm nervous about that. Does anyone have recent similar experience? TIA,

No, you can't get a separate rating, but you can get an increase rating for the higher disability symptoms. 

Even though GERD and IBS fall under the same category, you can still file a claim for GERD and request the higher rating. Since IBS has a max 30% rating, if you can prove though medical evidence that your symptoms are more defined as GERD and meet the 60% rating then you can be awarded the 60% rating for GERD instead of the 30% for IBS.

As long as you have the same symptoms for your other disabilities then you should not have a problem or concern of the VA sticking their nose in your other ratings. 

7319 Irritable colon syndrome (spastic colitis, mucous colitis, etc.):

Severe; diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress 30%.

Moderate; frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress 10% 

 

7346 Hernia hiatal:  "GERD"

Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health 60%.

Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health 30%.

With two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity 10%.

 

[Dustoff1970]

Pacmanx is correct.  I very recently received a quick 20 day rating of 60% for Gerd due to both my long term PTSD and PTSD medications.

My VA medical records since 2000 showed repeated notes and entries of both IBS and GERD and continuous VA GERD medications since 2011 to present time.  I never filed any claim for IBS even though diagnosed by both VA and private doctors as I was receiving medications only for GERD that has several different types of names for the same thing that is of course GERD. 

There was never any doctor or nurses opinions that my GERD was caused by PTSD or anything else.  VA raters accepted my word and written statements that PTSD caused GERD.  So did the QTC examiner in a short exam interview.  Honest Abe here. Go for it.

My comment is not legal advice as I not a lawyer, paralegal or VSO

[brokensoldier244th]

48 minutes ago, pacmanx1 said:

No, you can't get a separate rating, but you can get an increase rating for the higher disability symptoms. 

Even though GERD and IBS fall under the same category, you can still file a claim for GERD and request the higher rating. Since IBS has a max 30% rating, if you can prove though medical evidence that your symptoms are more defined as GERD and meet the 60% rating then you can be awarded the 60% rating for GERD instead of the 30% for IBS.

As long as you have the same symptoms for your other disabilities then you should not have a problem or concern of the VA sticking their nose in your other ratings. 

7319 Irritable colon syndrome (spastic colitis, mucous colitis, etc.):

Severe; diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress 30%.

Moderate; frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress 10% 

 

7346 Hernia hiatal:  "GERD"

Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health 60%.

Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health 30%.

With two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity 10%.

 

Thank you for adding to that, Pac

[BMCS2000]

Thank you all for sharing your experience and letting me know how it works. I need to review things more closely before I decide. I'm having issues with my degenerative disk disease, and have an MRI scheduled for later this week. Pending the results of that, I may put in for an increase for both on the same claim ... using help from the DAV.

Thanks again, -Jim

I was a member here 10-15 years ago, but haven't logged in for several years since ... this is way more than my first post.

[GBArmy]

Don't overlook a MH disability secondary to IBS/GERD. Constant pain, inability to go out with friends, etc. where there is food, pain, having to take other meds (additional issues?) could result in a anxiety or depression issue with some.