Hemorrhoids decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records, including SSA disability records and VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disability, sleep apnea (including as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder), hemorrhoids, and tinnitus are all being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and hemorrhoids are currently rated as 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that an increased rating is not warranted.,Regarding service connection for eye disability, additional opinions are needed to address the Veteran’s in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal is denied. The issues of reopening claims for internal hemorrhoids and loss of movement and strength of the left hand have been reopened.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals regarding the initial compensable ratings for various conditions, including coccyx fracture, hemorrhoids, toenail fungus of the bilateral great toes, right elbow limitation of extension, chronic kidney disease, post-operative dry eye syndrome in both eyes, irritable bowel syndrome, and right elbow tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were more than mild to moderate, but did not result in persistent bleeding or fissures.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence, but did not address service connection issues. The Veteran's current conditions include diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, hypertension, back disability (spine), and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash, but has remanded his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hemorrhoids due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids is granted from September 30, 2013 to August 12, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on several conditions have been withdrawn. The claims for right ankle disability, chronic kidney disability, and PTSD rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examination or evidence. The claim for chronic kidney disease has been reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 27, 2016 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for service connection and ratings for various conditions are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain missing medical records and conduct necessary examinations for the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied.,An initial 10 percent disability rating, but no greater, has been granted for cholecystectomy residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for gastrointestinal conditions, including hiatal hernia and GERD. The Veteran's exposure during Gulf War service is considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, recurrent peptic ulcer disease, and chondromalacia of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 27, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a skin condition, and an immune system disorder (shingles), finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids were denied a compensable rating prior to June 18, 2019 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the severity of his hemorrhoids.

The appeal for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed. The appeals for service connection of plantar fasciitis and hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was granted effective April 25, 2020 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his service-connected duodenal ulcer, acid reflux disorder (hiatal hernia), and hemorrhoids have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The application to reopen claims for chronic fatigue syndrome has also been dismissed.