Hemorrhoids decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, asthma, and hemorrhoids due to missing or incomplete service medical records. The Veteran is advised of alternative sources of evidence she can submit in place of these records.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Tinnitus and right shoulder disability are granted service connection, but the rating for hemorrhoid with rectal prolapse and scar is remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and angina have been dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim for hemorrhoids was granted, but only partially. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches was also granted, but only partially.

The Veteran's ganglion cyst of the left ankle and bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis) are not service-connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected, but only secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The hemorrhoids are denied due to their pre-existence in service, and sinusitis is denied based on lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma/stressor related disorder and a compensable rating for internal hemorrhoids are both denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, cervical spine disorder, and various other conditions have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has found that a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is not warranted, and the Veteran's claims of service connection for hernia disability, hypertension, and prostate cancer are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted service connection due to its nature and unknown etiology. Service connection for respiratory disorder (including asthma and allergic rhinitis) and throat disorder (allergic rhinitis) are denied as they are attributed to known clinical diagnoses. Service connection for GI disorder (eosinophilic esophagitis, internal hemorrhoids, iron deficiency, hematochezia) is also denied.

The Veteran's low back strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and fracture of the right great toe have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran's hemorrhoids remain noncompensable. Service connection for hip disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids, right middle finger disability, and right ring finger disability have been denied as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected hypertension, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. However, the Veteran's hemorrhoids did not manifest in service and are not otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's back disability has been granted a 20% rating, effective as of the date of this decision.,A separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 6, 2017 is denied. A higher than 10% rating thereafter is also denied.,Service connection for hemorrhoids has been remanded and a VA medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a right shoulder/arm disability is granted. Service connection for the condition is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including lower back condition, excessive weight gain, gastritis, hemorrhoids (rectal bleeding), and migraine headaches (chronic headaches). The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran now has allergic rhinitis that increased in severity during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations of left and right upper extremity neuritis, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of left knee replacement to include shortening of leg performed by Oklahoma City VAMC, earlier effective date prior to July 16, 2013 for the increased evaluation of 30 percent for left upper extremity neuritis, and whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis. The Board has also remanded the claims for an increased rating for cervical spine disability and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for periodontal disease and a compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and right foot condition have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hemorrhoids are related to his period of service. The claim for SMC based on his spouse's need for aid and attendance is still pending.