Hemorrhoids decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to multiple issues remaining on appeal. The AOJ must review all new evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI was reopened and granted. The initial rating for hemorrhoids remains denied, but the Veteran is now receiving an initial 10% rating effective from December 5, 2018.,Prior to December 6, 2011, the Veteran had a 20% rating for his hemorrhoids. From February 1, 2012 to December 4, 2018, he was denied any compensable ratings. After that period, he received an initial 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and tinea versicolor, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since November 21, 2008. As of that date, his combined disability rating was at least 40%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and hemorrhoids are remanded for further examination and opinion. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hemorrhoids began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a VA medical examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected status post hemorrhoidectomy, fistulectomy, and sphincterotomy residuals. The examiner is also asked to provide a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's symptoms found to be related to his service-connected condition from October 2001 to the present.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hemorrhoids, right knee disability, lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing adequate examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him sufficiently helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, but do not require him to remain in bed.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The Board granted TDIU for the period from March 29, 2007, to April 28, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic allergies has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is now entitled to a compensable rating for conjunctivitis, effective from August 16, 2017. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has decided to remand the initial compensable rating and extraschedular rating claims for service-connected hemorrhoids due to insufficient development, specifically a need for an in-person VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for internal hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's request to continue the appeal of service connection for a left hand disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn during the October 2021 Board hearing.,A claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, as new evidence related to current bilateral hearing loss has been submitted.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is attributable to active service and has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral foot osteoarthritis is attributable to service and has been granted service connection.,The Veteran does not have hemorrhoids that are attributable to service, resulting in denial of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing STRs and SPRs, requiring further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment from March 11, 2014 to September 23, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted for this period.

The Veteran's appeals seeking higher ratings for bilateral shin splints, eczema of the right hand, hemorrhoids, and PFB were withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability and gastrointestinal, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and nerve pain of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated based on their relationship to documented in-service complaints and potential exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension and hemorrhoids as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained, including VA treatment records from Sepulveda VAMC. Additionally, a more contemporaneous examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.