Gastrointestinal Disorders That Affect Veterans
Environmental, psychological, and biological factors can contribute to gastrointestinal disorders, but veterans may be more susceptible to these issues because of their military service.
Summary
- Veterans can seek VA disability benefits for gastrointestinal disorders caused or aggravated by military service. However, the veterans disability claims process for gastrointestinal disorders can be complex and often requires an appeal.
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders have no obvious physical cause and are linked to psychological factors.
- Structural gastrointestinal disorders can be seen with medical imaging techniques.
- Common functional gastrointestinal disorders affecting veterans include IBS, chronic gastritis, and functional dyspepsia, which are challenging to link to service for VA claims.
- Structural gastrointestinal disorders like GERD, chronic pancreatitis, and esophageal motility disorder have identifiable physical causes.
The gastrointestinal system includes the various organs involved in digesting food. When exposure to toxins, psychological distress, physical trauma, hormonal imbalance, or a genetic condition disrupts the normal functioning of the digestive process, veterans may experience uncomfortable and potentially debilitating symptoms.
Veteran gastrointestinal disorder claims offer financial support to former military personnel whose conditions were caused or aggravated by their active duty service. The veterans disability claims attorneys of VetLaw can help you navigate the appeals process to obtain VA disability benefits for your bowel, stomach, or intestinal condition.
Call (855) 573-1503 or submit a contact form to schedule a free consultation with us. Let us relieve the pressure of appealing a VA claim denial by yourself. We will go above and beyond to secure the VA disability benefits you deserve for your service-related gastrointestinal disorder.
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder Claims for Veterans
Of the two major types of gastrointestinal disorders, veterans often have a more difficult time establishing disability eligibility for functional gastrointestinal disorders, given their psychosomatic nature. With functional gastrointestinal disorders, there is no evident physical explanation for the veteran’s symptoms.
Instead, medical professionals believe these chronic physical conditions have psychological origins, as well as physiological ones. Functional gastrointestinal disorders also have a high comorbidity rate with conditions like anxiety and depression, further cementing the link between gastrointestinal health and mental health.
Veterans with functional gastrointestinal disorders experience symptoms due to dysregulated motility of the GI muscles, an overly-sensitive nervous system, or a compromised brain-gut connection. Common examples of functional gastrointestinal disorders that affect veterans include:
- Chronic gastritis
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
- Functional abdominal pain syndrome
- Functional bloating
- Functional constipation or dyssynergic defecation
- Functional dyspepsia
- Gastrointestinal Dysmotility Syndrome
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Without an obvious physical cause to point to, it can be challenging for veterans to show that their functional gastrointestinal disorder is related to their active duty military service.
Unfortunately, many vets with functional gastrointestinal disorders have a lower quality of life due to their symptoms, which can compound their struggles to secure VA disability benefits.
Structural Gastrointestinal Disorder Claims for Veterans
Unlike in functional gastrointestinal disorders, structural gastrointestinal disorders are characterized by a physical, perceivable abnormality or malformation. In other words, a healthcare provider can identify the source of your gastrointestinal disorder symptoms because the problem is visible in medical imaging of your digestive system.
For example, tumors, lesions, strictures, and other structural damage or deficiencies are detectable via scans or procedures like MRIs, endoscopies, and CTs. These tools can help uncover the proximate cause of a veteran’s gastrointestinal disorder. However, by definition, the underlying reason for the vet’s disorder and symptoms is unclear.
The major types of structural gastrointestinal disorders include:
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Diverticulum of the esophagus
- Esophageal Motility Disorder
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Post-Pancreatectomy Syndrome
- Structural dysphagia
Other structural gastrointestinal conditions, such as hernias and Barrett’s esophagus, are not considered disorders because we understand their root causes. For gastrointestinal disorders that measurably interfere with a veteran’s quality of life, ability to work, and live independently, the VA offers disability compensation.
Learn How VetLaw Can Provide Critical Support in Veteran Gastrointestinal Claims
Many veterans with gastrointestinal disorders find that their conditions are anxiety-inducing, logistically complex to manage, and financially burdensome. At VetLaw, our team will work tirelessly to maximize your benefits and advocate for a fair rating under the updated VA rating schedule for digestive conditions.
VetLaw possesses the experience, resources, and determination you need to successfully navigate the VA appeals process. To get in touch with us, call (855) 573-1503 or submit a contact form. Our team will schedule your free consultation with one of our skilled veterans disability appeals attorneys to discuss your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the VA offer benefits for gastrointestinal disorders that are secondary to mental health conditions?
Potentially- but first, a veteran would need to demonstrate that their VA gastrointestinal disorder claim meets the criteria for compensation. If you are trying to establish that your digestive issue is the result of a mental health conditions, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, your VA disability claim would need to:
- Prove that your Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the product of your active duty military service, or that your time on active duty exacerbated your GAD symptoms beyond a natural progression
- AND show a medical nexus between your service-related GAD and your gastrointestinal disorder by demonstrating that either your service-connected GAD caused your gastrointestinal disorder or that it worsened your pre-existing gastrointestinal condition
A VA disability appeals lawyer can assist you with compiling evidence of your eligibility for benefits.
What causes veterans to develop service-connected gastrointestinal disorders?
There are a number of potential sources of gastrointestinal disorders for veterans. Although genetics and other factors may play a role in a veteran developing a gastrointestinal disorder, various risks involved in military service can increase their chances of suffering from conditions like IBS. For example:
- Mental conditions caused by in-service trauma or stress
- Toxic exposure to chemicals
- Viral or bacterial infections
The VA has designated certain gastrointestinal disorders as presumptive service-related conditions for vets who served under conditions that likely cause these health issues. For example, many Gulf War vets have presumptive claims for functional gastrointestinal disorders like abdominal pain syndrome due to likely exposure to toxic burn pits.
Is Crohn’s Disease a gastrointestinal disorder that affects veterans?
While many veterans have service-related Crohn’s Disease, it is not classified as a gastrointestinal disorder. Whether Crohn’s qualifies as a disorder depends on if you’re evaluating it as a gastrointestinal issue or an autoimmune condition.
When referencing Crohn’s as a gastrointestinal condition, it is categorized as a structural form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, not Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is a disorder.
Additionally, although it primarily impacts the GI system, Crohn’s Disease is actually attributable to irregular immune system responses. Therefore, it is an autoimmune disorder, not a gastrointestinal disorder.
