Hemorrhoids decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to it. The appellant must provide any outstanding private treatment records, including those from North Shore University Hospital at Southside and a nursing home where the Veteran received care after being discharged from the hospital.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, duodenal bulb spasticity, and left varicocele have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal concerning these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, right thumb disability, back disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an outdated VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoid residuals is still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a Veteran with examinations to determine the nature and cause of any right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, back disability, heart disability, hemorrhoids, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are considered to be large, irreducible with excessive redundant tissue and evidencing frequent recurrences. The Board finds that a 10 percent evaluation is warranted for the entire appellate period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and umbilical hernia were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board video conference hearing at a location proximate to his current domicile.

The Veteran's internal and external hemorrhoids were rated at a 10 percent rating effective December 22, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities including coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, periostitis of the right tibia, and internal and external hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his service-connected conditions during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be due to his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood, which the Board found contributed substantially and materially to his death. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot because the appellant has prevailed on her claim for service connection for cause of death. The accrued benefits claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed hemorrhoids and left knee disabilities, as well as VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions. The claims will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn. The claims of entitlement to higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss disability and hypertension are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues being inextricably intertwined with increased rating claims and a TDIU claim. The Veteran is required to complete VA Form 21-8940 for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development, including consideration of new evidence and a VA examination. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this additional review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, effective dates, and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the substantive appeal was not timely filed in several cases.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids have been manifested by mild bleeding after bowel movements, but not by large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, persistent bleeding, secondary anemia, or fissures. The overall hemorrhoid disability has not been shown to be more than mild to moderate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.