Hemorrhoids decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 20, 2017, and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter for service-connected diverticulitis. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating prior to January 20, 2017, and denied a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood has been granted. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is still pending, and the TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his hemorrhoid disability and TDIU claims due to his satisfaction with the RO's decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected varicose veins and hemorrhoids were granted. The claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis and PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids was denied as the severity, frequency, or duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for recurrent right eye corneal abrasions without decreased visual acuity or visual impairment (claimed as vision and secondary retina (scars, atrophy, or irregularities of)) was denied because there were no incapacitating episodes resulting in an evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hemorrhoids are related or aggravated by his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease, specifically addressing the impact of medication and dietary regime.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with DJD, hemorrhoids, and allergic rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hemorrhoids due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases of low back disability and hemorrhoids for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for hemorrhoids, and for a dental disorder. The AOJ is directed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current low back disorder had its onset during or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for hemorrhoids, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The COPD and sleep apnea claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, requesting an addendum opinion from the September 2019 VA examiner regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability during the pendency of the appeal, and readjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were granted a 10% disability rating for the period prior to November 3, 2019 and a 10% disability rating thereafter.,The Veteran's residuals of frostbite of the right foot were granted a 30% disability rating for the period prior to November 3, 2019 and a 30% disability rating thereafter.,The Veteran's residuals of frostbite of the left foot were granted a 30% disability rating for the period prior to November 3, 2019 and a 30% disability rating thereafter.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied an increased disability rating prior to November 21, 2019.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 30% disability rating since November 21, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids prior to December 9, 2019 was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) but did not establish a causal nexus between his PTSD and in-service stressor.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Board has found that there was no substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding joint conditions and vertigo.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to October 30, 2019 and granted a 50 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for TDIU or DEA benefits.