Hemorrhoids decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 22, 2019. From February 22, 2019, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, respiratory disability (chronic bronchitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infection of the tonsils, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, hypertension, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, shin splints, hemorrhoids, retracted testicle, and low sex drive have been granted. Effective dates prior to February 13, 2018 for bilateral foot bunions and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, low back disability (secondary to bilateral knee disability), and hemorrhoids. The reasons given were that the conditions did not pre-exist service or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for a digestive disability (claimed as constipation and irritable colon syndrome) and hemorrhoids to include as secondary to constipation are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the withholding of compensation benefits to recoup Special Separation Benefits (SSB) in the amount of $40,330.57 was proper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for external hemorrhoids, increased evaluations for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and a determination of whether she is entitled to TDIU prior to October 9, 2019. Additional evidence must be obtained and considered.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's dry eyes, vision impairment, left knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and hemorrhoids have been dismissed from the appeal.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from September 1, 2011 to November 14, 2011. The claim of entitlement to TDIU for the period from November 15, 2011 to December 31, 2012 is moot due to the Veteran's 100% schedular rating and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The claim of TDIU prior to September 1, 2011 was denied.

The Board has identified additional VA treatment records that have not been considered in the current rating decision. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for a thorough review of these new records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, and left hip disabilities are not related to his military service. The gastrointestinal disability is also remanded for further development.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's hemorrhoids, currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The evidence did not show persistent bleeding, secondary anemia, or fissures.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for hemorrhoidal and knee cream is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA Handbook sections.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids have been granted. The Veteran's hypertension and scar of the right leg are denied, but his bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions including left and right ankle disabilities, chest bursitis, shoulder bursitis, hip bursitis, gastritis, foot fungus, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at 20 percent since March 19, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran’s persistent bleeding from his hemorrhoids warranted a higher rating prior to this date.,For the left scaphoid fracture with osteoarthritis and residual superficial radial neuropathy, the Board denied any increase in ratings as there was no evidence of ankylosis or severe incomplete paralysis of the radial nerve.

The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities from October 15, 2009 to July 11, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, arthritis of the left hand, and arthritis of the right hand as there is no current disability found in any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected mental disabilities, finding that apart from these conditions, he could still perform substantially gainful employment. The other service-connected conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a left shoulder disorder, bilateral metatarsalgia with hallux valgus, and psoriasis with plantar warts. The decision found that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claim for hemorrhoids, and that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and active service.