Hemorrhoids decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 1, 2010 for additional dependency benefits was denied as no evidence of the birth of his dependent son [redacted] was provided to VA before April 5, 2010.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service event that could have caused or aggravated the appellant's claimed back disability, hypertension, stomach disability, acquired psychiatric disability (mental stress), or hemorrhoids. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to her death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse is not warranted due to her functional capacity, which does not require personal assistance from others.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, gout, and hypertension, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his cervical spine and headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2010. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities preclude employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and medical findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to address issues related to his service connection claims for hemorrhoids, atypical chest pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and increased ratings for his knees. The claims will be reviewed in light of the evidence provided and a new examination may be necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified major depressive disorder and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed as there are no specific issues for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids, to include an anal fissure, had their onset in service and are therefore considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD disability are currently rated as 30 percent disabling effective August 21, 2012. The Board has found that the criteria for an increased rating to a maximum of 60 percent have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain (back disability) is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, effective December 14, 2012. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating to a maximum of 60 percent have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's hemorrhoids since March 13, 2014. Prior to that date, no higher rating was warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and headaches are being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA will attempt to obtain all relevant treatment records from February 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cluster headaches, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hernia with scar status post hernia repair have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a hearing. The Board has granted a TDIU based on service-connected cluster headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The diabetes mellitus rating remains at 40 percent, and hypertension is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for external hemorrhoids, and increased ratings for her knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current level of disability.