Hemorrhoids decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and Raynaud's disease were dismissed as withdrawn. The claims of service connection for prostate condition (including elevated PSA and enlargement), lumbar spine disability, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and cervical spine disability are reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hemorrhoids, to include as secondary to duodenal ulcer, due to concerns about the adequacy of previous medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Veteran's initial 10% evaluation for hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of recent evidence.

The Veteran's hemorrhoid disorder is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent, but only for the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, diagnosed as internal hemorrhoids and intermittent rectal bleeding, finding that the Veteran's current disability was not chronic in service and has not been continuous since service separation. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, migraines, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhoids, acid reflux, and insomnia have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service occurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and hemorrhoids due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his lower back condition, as well as whether his preexisting hemorrhoids permanently increased in severity during service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids from 10% to 20%, effective January 1, 2017. The reduction was improper as there was no actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to VA's Director of Compensation for consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) is warranted prior to January 12, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on some issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for hemorrhoids, which were diagnosed during the appeal period. The claim must be further developed with an appropriate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to anemia, and hemorrhoids (secondary to her service-connected anemia) is granted. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and her service-connected anemia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and hemorrhoids were denied. The rating for IVDS prior to June 17, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show sufficient limitation of motion or muscle spasms to warrant a higher rating. The rating for IVDS since June 17, 2019 was also denied due to lack of sufficient limitation of flexion. A compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied because there was no evidence of large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with frequent recurrences.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 21, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for a hemorrhoid disability and remanded the issue of rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine, prior to June 17, 2018, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's death was not recognized for DIC and death pension benefits due to the marriage occurring too late. The appellant is being remanded to clarify whether she wishes to proceed as a substitute party or solely for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition (claimed as bronchitis), an acquired psychological disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, and hemorrhoids due to inadequate or incomplete examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right foot disability, bowel disorder, lipomas, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and hemorrhoids due to inadequate medical opinions regarding in-service herbicide exposure. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (including anal fissures), and hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's current disabilities of the digestive system, including irritable bowel syndrome with hemorrhoids and anal fissures, are found to be related to his military service.