Hemorrhoids decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including left ankle disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, right wrist disability, left-hand disability, stress fracture of the mid right anterior tibia with traumatic arthritis, right proximal dorsal foot, left mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The appeal with respect to the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and disabilities of the shoulders, elbows, and feet has been dismissed. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the etiology of his left wrist disorder, which includes complaints and treatment during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder tendonitis, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss disability, and chronic bronchitis have been granted. However, the Veteran did not appeal the effective dates assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and outstanding records. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be addressed after all relevant records are obtained and evaluated.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids as secondary to duodenal ulcer should be remanded due to insufficient aggravation opinion.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 10, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of performing daily activities or require regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back condition is not related to service, and has remanded the cases for further development regarding hemorrhoids and right wrist conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee osteoarthritis have been rated at 10 percent each since April 6, 2012. The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for instability in the knees, effective from April 6, 2012. For internal hemorrhoids, a noncompensable rating remains valid.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted within a year of the January 2018 rating decision, making it new and material. The Veteran's representative contends that his sleep apnea is due to weight gain caused by service-connected conditions. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 23, 2018, for the grant of service connection of hemorrhoids is denied. The Board finds that there was no intent to file a claim for hemorrhoids prior to January 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ataxia was remanded, and the RO granted service connection for orthostatic hypotension. The Board finds that this satisfied the Veteran’s claim for service connection for ataxia. The issue of SMC based on aid and attendance is now remanded due to new evidence indicating the need for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids has been denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for urethral meatal condyloma prior to October 13, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent from that date onwards have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a psychiatric disorder are being reconsidered de novo due to the receipt of relevant official service department records.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's chronic sinus disability and hemorrhoids have been granted initial ratings of 30% and 10%, respectively, effective November 1, 2010. The Veteran's diverticulosis has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's current hemorrhoids are considered to have begun during his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, bilateral shoulder bursitis, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete examination reports and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence and complete examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw all remaining issues on appeal.