Hemorrhoids decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection is denied for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral pes planus, a bilateral achilles heel disorder, psoriatic arthritis with vasculitis, and a bilateral knee condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss prior to April 30, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss on or after April 30, 2018 remains pending and is being remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable. A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also pending and is being remanded.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated as mild or moderate prior to April 8, 2016 and not entitled to a compensable rating. From April 8, 2016, the rating for his hemorrhoids was increased to 10 percent.,For his other specified trauma and stress related disorder, the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 8, 2016. From April 8, 2016, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including reopening of claims for various conditions. The Veteran's PTSD is also being evaluated further.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a retrospective VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from August 19, 2003 to April 2, 2005, and a TDIU opinion considering his combined effects of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates has been dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's initial and extraschedular ratings for hemorrhoids were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on Diagnostic Code 7336, which covers mild to moderate internal or external hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's hearing loss, sinus disability, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and venous disabilities of the legs are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service.,Hemorrhoids were also not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. His IBS is rated at 30 percent, but the issue of hemorrhoids remains unresolved.

The Veteran's knee and foot disabilities have been rated at the lowest possible level due to their mild nature, with no evidence of ankylosis or instability. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's hearing loss, sinus disability, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and disabilities of the veins in each leg are not service-connected as they did not arise during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).,Hemorrhoids were also not service-connected as there is no evidence that they arose during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and lumbosacral disability are not related to his active service.,Service connection for hypertension is granted at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including Bell’s Palsy and headaches, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The VA is instructed to obtain missing records and provide the Veteran with notice regarding these missing records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, respiratory disability (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea), hypertension, hemorrhoids, and bilateral intention tremor of hands have been denied.,The Veteran's respiratory disability was granted an initial non-compensable rating from December 15, 2015 onwards.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of sleep apnea and rectal bleeding (hemorrhoids) to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to report to scheduled VA examinations and because of lack of entitlement under the law. The claims will be reconsidered after new evidence is obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for gout, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and chronic kidney disease. The case of chronic kidney disease is remanded as the Veteran's current diagnoses may be related to his service-connected hypertension with renal insufficiency.

The Board has denied service connection for hemorrhoids due to the lack of current evidence of a disability. The case is remanded for obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination regarding his left and right foot tinea pedis.