Hemorrhoids decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and respiratory disability (asthma) have been reopened. The claim for increased rating of PTSD has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, right ring finger fracture, and hemorrhoids do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids from March 19, 2015 to April 16, 2018 is denied. Service connection for a right foot disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has determined that there are new and material issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, propriety of a ratings reduction, and TDIU. The VA must obtain any outstanding treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records before these matters can be further adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis has been granted. The claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and proctitis, as well as urethritis, have been dismissed. The issue of an increased rating for paroxysmal atrial tachycardia is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his internal hemorrhoids, rectal sphincter control, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hemorrhoidectomy, diabetes mellitus, and right ankle disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of hemorrhoids and service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral tinea cruris, postoperative hemorrhoidectomy disability, and pilonidal cyst disability due to outstanding records and scheduling of a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions as it does not have jurisdiction due to the legacy appeals process.

The appeal of the issue regarding service connection for a left elbow disorder is dismissed. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones. The claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a conflict in medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rectal disorders, specifically whether they are related to her service-connected PTSD and military sexual trauma. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's rectal disorder.

The Board has readjudicated the claims of service connection for left knee disability and back disability due to new evidence received after prior final denials.,Service connection is granted for lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities (secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease), hemorrhoids, and anal fistula with anal fissure and partial sphincter loss (secondary to hemorrhoids).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's external hemorrhoids began in service and granted service connection. However, the rating for her L5-S1 microdiscectomy is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increases in ratings for sinusitis, duodenal ulcer, and hemorrhoids, as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of current evidence reflecting their current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD, granting him a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asthma, hemorrhoids, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to service-connected asthma. The VA will request additional medical opinions regarding the use of corticosteroids in asthma treatment, the reliability of PFT results, the severity of hemorrhoids, and the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia, as well as cervical strain, are granted service connection. The issues of gastrointestinal disability other than IBS and hemorrhoids (to include stomach disability, GERD, hernia, and residuals of colon cancer), headache disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded for further examination.