Hemorrhoids decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and gambling disorder, are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age or any nonservice-connected disorders. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his time in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status because his service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to SSA disability benefits is based on his service-connected conditions, and these records are necessary to properly evaluate his claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. The appeal for a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus must be denied.,The Veteran contends that he has a left leg muscle disability related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. Further examination is needed to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected varicose veins.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are required to ascertain the current level of severity of his disability.,The Veteran contends that he has a hemorrhoids condition which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has left and right leg varicose veins which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such conditions exist, their etiology, and whether they are caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist tendonitis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has right wrist tendonitis which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent (prior to December 23, 2017) and in excess of 20 percent (from December 23, 2017) for his degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar sprain with spondylosis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for anal fissures and hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, malaria, seizures, and kidney disorder. The appeals were based on direct evidence from active duty service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including reopening of service connection claims for various conditions and issues related to hearing loss, carotid endarterectomies, vocal polyps, diabetes mellitus, type II, and retinopathy. The Veteran's spouse is being provided with the appropriate notice regarding these matters.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims, including secondary service connection and a VA examination to clarify the nature of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to new evidence received after a previous denial. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed on a de novo basis and further examinations are required.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected lung disorder did not contribute to his death from hemolytic uremic syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded three claims for service connection: chronic fatigue syndrome, hemorrhoids, and a neurological disorder of the eye and head. The remand requires obtaining complete SSA records related to the Veteran's disability benefits.

Service connection for a ganglion cyst of the right index finger is granted.,A 30 percent disability rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted for the entire initial rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to incomplete examination reports.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from January 3, 2007, to April 16, 2008. The evidence showed that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an ulcer condition (also claimed as GERD), a cardiovascular condition, and a hemorrhoid disability due to insufficient opinions regarding their relationship to active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for hepatitis C, hemorrhoids, rhinitis, sinusitis, kidney condition, cirrhosis of the liver, hemochromatosis, and arthritis due to issues with the character of discharge from his second period of active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for hemorrhoids with anal fissures is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.