Hemorrhoids decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of 13 issues, including service connection claims for various conditions and disability ratings. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for external hemorrhoids with secondary anemia is being remanded due to the need to evaluate his anemia under the new diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have not resulted in persistent bleeding with secondary anemia or anal fissures, so his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as the current VA examiner's opinion is inadequate. The Veteran contends that his sleep apnea is due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, but the examiner did not consider these factors in their assessment.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his compensation award effective March 31, 2016. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for hemorrhoids is granted from July 25, 2010 to April 14, 2017. A rating in excess of 20% for hemorrhoids from April 14, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental disorder.,The Veteran's claim for initial compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gout affecting his ankles and knees, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbosacral degenerative discogenic disease, hypertension, eczema, left occipital neuralgia, plantar fasciitis of the left heel, osteoarthritis of the left first metatarsophalangeal joint, right thumb residual fracture fragmentation, internal hemorrhoids, and status post neoplasm excisions of the large intestine, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids. The appeal regarding a compensable rating for service-connected eczema is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and sleep apnea were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hemorrhoids was fixed at March 8, 2013.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities materially contributed to his subdural hematoma. The claim of DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative residuals of bunionectomy of the left and right feet. The gastrointestinal issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and some other conditions are granted service connection, but the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement for his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a subsistence allowance is denied, and the reduction of his pension benefits is remanded due to lack of issuance of an SOC.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's death certificate noted that his cause of death was related to Parkinson’s disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's reported rectal bleeding and its relation to service.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. A separate 30 percent rating for impaired rectal sphincter control is granted, effective June 5, 2018. An effective date of September 1, 2008 for the award of a compensable rating for internal hemorrhoids with pruritus ani is granted. Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis is remanded due to lack of exposure information.

The Veteran's cervical spine arthritis, stricture of the rectum and anus, ulcerative colitis with Pouchitis, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for his stricture of the rectum and anus.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow fracture, torn right bicep, left ear hearing loss, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and meralgia paresthetica as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event or injury that resulted in these conditions.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and hemorrhoids due to lack of new and material evidence.,An initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.