Hemorrhoids decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches/migraines, Barrette's esophagus, diverticulitis, and internal hemorrhoids/polyps have been denied. However, his claim for service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy associated with L5-S1 low back disability has been reopened but remains pending due to the need for further review.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and hemorrhoids. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hemorrhoids are related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at the highest possible disability rating since November 28, 2012. Effective August 15, 2018, he is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD and additional disabilities that are also service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including uric acid nephropathy and gout, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected hemorrhoids was increased from noncompensable to 10 percent effective February 1, 2017. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a new VA medical examination to assess the current severity of his hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids, rectum and anus condition, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found no causal relationship between these conditions and service. Back disability, headaches, and right knee disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board dismissed all the claims due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's high blood pressure is granted a 10 percent rating, effective September 26, 2017. Service connection for colon polyps and diverticulosis are denied. The Board remanded the issues of service connection for deviated septum, left carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of vasectomy, diabetes, hemorrhoids, and hiatal hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for vitiligo. The cases of bulging discs, lower back; toenail fungus; Hashimoto's Disease as due to an undiagnosed illness; and hemorrhoids are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU. The right knee issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's hemorrhoid condition, finding that it had its onset during active service and is related to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of low back disability, sinus disability, and bilateral hearing loss for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including internal hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, right leg disability, left leg disability, right ankle disability (claimed as Achilles), right knee disability, left knee disability, right elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or etiologies related to these conditions that could be linked to service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to December 3, 2012, for the award of a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids as it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's hemorrhoids increased in severity so as to warrant such a rating before that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.