Hemorrhoids decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such.,For the back disability, the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,The claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,For restrictive airway disease, the Veteran’s manifestations do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 30 percent.,The claim for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,For PTSD, the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 70 percent.,The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there are no legal grounds to grant such.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as they did not manifest during or within one year after separation from service.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, pain disorder associated with arch pain, gouty arthritis, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and bilateral pes planus have been rated as 50%, 20%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, and 0% respectively. The combined rating is 70%. The Veteran's major depressive disorder has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during active service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to service or proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The issues of acid reflux, alopecia, diverticulitis, migraines, athlete’s foot of the right foot, athlete’s foot of the left foot, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhoids, right foot heel spur, left foot heel spur, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hemorrhoid disability and its association with fecal leakage.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hemorrhoids. The right inguinal hernia scar claim is also pending as there are no clear periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have resulted in persistent pain and itching, but not persistent bleeding or anemia. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder due to potential secondary etiology from service-connected conditions. The Veteran's current psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is being evaluated by a VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids was denied. The Board found that the reduction from 20% to 0% effective November 1, 2015, was proper based on improvement in his condition as shown by May 2015 VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and residuals of frost bite of the hands and feet due to lack of current disability evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are currently present.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Veteran's hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 3, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and headaches have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for hemorrhoids and bilateral plantar fasciitis are set at May 8, 2015. The Veteran is granted a 10 percent evaluation for his hemorrhoids but not for his bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability to include recurring PVCs has been reopened, but the Board finds that further development is needed as there are insufficient current medical records to determine if he currently has a heart disability related to his service. Other claims have also been remanded due to need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's symptoms and their relation to service-connected conditions, specifically hemorrhoids with history of anal fissure.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on its current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not cause him to need regular aid and assistance of another person, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty is granted prior to January 13, 2012 with a 30% rating. From that date onwards, the Veteran is assigned a 30% rating for his right knee condition.,Prior to November 19, 2015, the Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 0%. From that date onwards, he is assigned a 20% rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for liver tumor, high blood pressure, and hemorrhoids. The claim for VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is also denied. The Board has found that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any current miscarriage residuals or gynecological disabilities.

The appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for a neck disability is allowed.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a scar of the left eye is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability, to include insignificant retinal pigment deposits and myopic astigmatism in the right eye (also claimed as benign neoplasm of chorial nevus) is denied.,As new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left eye disability, other than a scar of the left eye and to include insignificant retinal pigment deposits and myopic astigmatism in the left eye (also claimed as benign neoplasm of chorial nevus), the appeal to this extent is allowed.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left elbow disability, also claimed as nerve damage, is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), to include alcohol abuse, anxiety condition, drug abuse, memory loss, mental disorder, and major depression, is denied.