Hemorrhoids decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer residuals and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, as well as the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (presumed to include PTSD). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU for the period from June 1, 2011 to September 26, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder impingement syndrome with bicipital tendon tear, rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his hemorrhoids, and a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery for his service-connected hemorrhoids.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right knee disability or right shoulder disability. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated as 20 percent disabling under DC 5201 due to limited abduction, but no higher because there was no evidence of ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and internal and external hemorrhoids. The claim for a compensable rating for abscesses, perianal and right buttock is remanded.

The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's hemorrhoids are related to service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome and external hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since her last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder, as they are related to herbicide agent exposure. The RO is instructed to verify the Veteran’s alleged exposure to herbicides in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, or at Fort Sherman, Panama.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that a new examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran has complete loss of sphincter control due to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids was dismissed as he withdrew the claim prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied as the new evidence received does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness for pre-existing disorders.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating. The Veteran's hearing loss has been remanded due to inadequate examination.

An effective date of August 27, 2012 is granted for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for left inguinal hernia is denied.,A compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied.,A compensable rating for ilio-inguinal nerve dysfunction is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his disability did not manifest to a level of severity that would warrant such a rating. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a right thumb disability and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be at least as likely related to his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The appeal regarding initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is also denied.

The Veteran's urticaria and hiatal hernia with GERD are both rated at 30 percent, while the rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent. The case of hemorrhoids is remanded.

The Veteran's depression is granted as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right and left hip trochanteric bursitis, right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left foot calcific enthesopathy of the calcaneal bone, left inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected depression.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, hemorrhoids, and an ingrown toenail due to new and material evidence. However, the claims are denied as there is no current disability or link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraines and leg cramps, chronic sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy have been denied.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran’s claimed conditions due to a lack of evidence showing a link between his military service and these disabilities.

The Board has referred the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, hemorrhoids, and a skin disorder to the RO for further consideration. The Veteran's claim for warts is denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed condition.