Hemorrhoids decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The low back disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling, but the rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy before January 5, 2018, and a rating of 20 percent since then.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions regarding his claimed disabilities, and there was insufficient medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Veteran's claim of a compensable rating for his hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records from December 2008 to November 2012 and the need to associate the contents of a CD with the electronic claims file.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, an upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, and hemorrhoids as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations, which are required for proper evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting VA examinations. The issues of service connection for anal hemorrhoids, vaginal bleeding, fibroids, status-post total abdominal hysterectomy, and fistula of bladder are also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for reopening of claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and a left shoulder strain. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is reopened based on new evidence received since the December 2004 rating decision. Service connection is also granted for the right foot Achilles tendon.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service records and VA treatment records, as well as to conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids was granted, with a maximum rating of 20 percent. The claim for a higher rating for hydrocele was denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his service-connected external hemorrhoids and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for the hemorrhoids prior to September 15, 2016 or since then. For TDIU, the criteria were met as he had multiple service-connected disabilities but none alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or chronic sinusitis, and the Board finds that these claims are denied.,Regarding hemorrhoids, the Veteran has been granted service connection as his residuals from a previous surgery are considered to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hemorrhoid condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his hemorrhoids. An addendum opinion on the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder will also be needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and their relationship to secondary anemia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a 30 percent evaluation prior to April 7, 2016. The initial compensable evaluation for his hemorrhoids and hypertension were also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and proper notification of scheduled examination dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, GERD, a bladder condition, hemorrhoids, and a skin condition. The cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS. The extension of a temporary total rating was also denied.