Hemorrhoids decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 0 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,Service connection for sleep apnea was granted effective August 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's status post hemorrhoidectomy is granted a 20 percent rating from August 4, 2013. His impairment of rectal sphincter control is granted a 10 percent rating from February 1, 2012.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids since March 2, 2011 is denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for alopecia, rectal disability (including hemorrhoids and polyps), skin disorder, foot disability, upper left extremity radiculopathy, sleep disorder, and bilateral knee disability as there was no evidence or argument linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, prior to September 21, 2016. A rating in excess of 10 percent is denied for the period beginning September 21, 2016.,For his TBI residuals, a noncompensable rating was granted prior to August 5, 2013. A rating in excess of 10 percent is denied from that date forward.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back disability was denied, but his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was granted. The decision is mixed as it reopened the hemorrhoids claim and denied the lower back disability claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD. The case is being sent back for a VA examination to determine if the sleep apnea is related to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions, and whether it is caused by medications used to treat other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to hemorrhoids, impairment of sphincter control, and residuals of large intestine surgery are being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for left ear scar, posterior trunk scar, lumbar spine disability, fecal urgency and soiling, and hemorrhoidectomy have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his inguinal hernia repairs and hemorrhoids, do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the medical evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

Service connection is granted for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine spondylosis, as well as other service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the award of service connection for hemorrhoids is set at November 29, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disorder is denied as there is no diagnosed chronic ear disorder.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to April 8, 2003, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied due to lack of evidence of persistent bleeding or anemia.,The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent evaluation or greater for gastric ulcer disorder as of November 24, 2010, is granted. Prior to this date, the claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for low back disorder is denied due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome resulting in incapacitating episodes totalling at least six weeks in a twelve-month period.,The Veteran's claim for a separate evaluation for urinary incontinence as a neurological manifestation of his low back disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted.

Service connection is granted for hemorrhoids and PTSD. The Veteran's headaches, right ear otitis media with vertigo, and left ear otitis media with vertigo are remanded for further review.,The Board finds that service connection is warranted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions based on direct evidence of a nexus to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to locate missing records from 2002-2006.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is being remanded because of incomplete development and a lack of an adequate opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability claims are being remanded due to the need to locate missing records from 2002-2006 and for inadequate examination opinions.,The Veteran's back disability claim is being remanded because of incomplete development and a lack of an adequate opinion regarding whether his condition was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's ankle disability claim is being remanded due to incomplete development and a lack of an adequate opinion regarding the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is being remanded due to incomplete development and a lack of an adequate opinion regarding the severity of his condition.,The effective date for service connection for fibromyalgia is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids and pseudofolliculitis barbae have not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for a heart disorder, peripheral vascular disease, and an above the knee amputation of the right leg are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected conditions, including hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder, neurological disorders affecting the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to inextricably intertwined issues with the claim of increased rating for residuals of an injury to the right leg (thigh) with arthritis of the right knee. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for further examination and assessment of his service-connected disabilities, particularly those affecting his lower extremities.