Hemorrhoids decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and not providing authorization for obtaining records from Dr. Howard or Ms. Shaffey, as well as receiving additional pertinent evidence after a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) was issued.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues including vertigo, colitis, hemorrhoids (secondary to colitis), fungal infections of the toenails, and thyroid condition post thyroidectomy due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's diverticulitis and hemorrhoids have not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inconsistencies in the severity assessments of the Veteran's knee disabilities and internal hemorrhoids. Additional evidence is needed, including VA treatment records since May 2016, and a new examination for both knees and internal hemorrhoids.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for an eating disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's acne with scarring is granted service connection as it was aggravated by service. However, his hemorrhoids are denied service connection due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals on the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and recurrent major depression with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder without agoraphobia due to his withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU from December 23, 2002 to May 16, 2012 due to concerns about substantial compliance with prior remand instructions and reliance on an inadequate VA medical opinion. The case is now being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to hypertension, dermatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and sleep apnea require additional development. The effective dates of these claims will be determined after further review.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoidal skin tags, status post hemorrhoids is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and further attempts to obtain federal records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the circumstances of the Veteran's fall and death, which is necessary to determine if his service-connected disabilities contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and the lack of recent treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is not related to his service-connected diabetes, but his hemorrhoids are considered to have been incurred during active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeals for hearing loss and IBS with GERD. The claim of service connection for fibromyalgia was reopened due to new evidence, and it is now granted. Service connection for hemorrhoids is also granted.

Allergic rhinitis and multiple joint pains (fibromyalgia) are granted. Service connection for lower back disability is reopened, but denied. Service connection for sarcoidosis and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) as due to Gulf War illness are remanded.,PTSD rating in excess of 30 percent is remanded, as well as ratings for external hemorrhoids and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for thoracic spine and left-hand disabilities, but granted service connection for hemorrhoids. The appeals for sleep disability and right foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support additional staged ratings for any time period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is presumed to have been incurred in service due to the nature of his military duties.

The Board has granted a rating of ten percent for service-connected hemorrhoids, effective from the date of the decision.