Hemorrhoids decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a pilonidal cyst is denied. Claims for increased ratings on hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and tension headaches are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 1, 2017 through January 10, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied.,For the period prior to June 18, 2015, the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10% rating. From June 18, 2015 to August 27, 2020, he was granted a 20% rating. After that period, his condition did not warrant a rating greater than 20%. The Veteran also received separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.,The Veteran's knee disabilities were rated based on painful motion and instability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for cataracts has been dismissed. Service connection for hemorrhoids, PTSD, and various other disabilities have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for sarcoidosis and status post hemorrhoidectomy are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the issues of chronic fatigue, hemorrhoids, genitalia pain, kidney pain, bilateral hearing loss, liver condition, lumbar strain, cholelithiasis (gallbladder condition), and chest pain have been remanded due to lack of evidence or further medical examination.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar strain effective December 8, 2016. The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is manifested by a combined range of motion to no less than 150 degrees, including forward flexion to no less than 60-65 degrees with consideration of functional impairment.,The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for hemorrhoids and lumbar strain. The Veteran's lumbar strain disability arose on May 12, 2015, and the earliest evidence of record of a current hemorrhoid disability is from May 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids and headache disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The VA will need to obtain records from Dr. S., conduct updated examinations, and consider whether the symptoms of impaired sphincter control can be separately rated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further development. The issues include arthritis, hearing loss, cold weather injuries, hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia, GERD, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities were evaluated, with the right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome receiving a 10% rating from March 13, 2012 to May 4, 2021. The denial of a compensable rating for hemorrhoids and the granting of a 10% rating for both upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes are noted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for acne, hemorrhoids, hypertension, premature ventricular contractions (claimed as irregular heart rate), and a left shoulder disability. The case is REMANDED.

The Board has denied service connection for melanoma due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active service or herbicide exposure. The digestive system disorder claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is denied as she does not meet the VA criteria for a current hearing loss disability.,Service connection for hemorrhoids and thyroid disability (hypothyroidism) are remanded due to incomplete service records and need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the need to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, post-operative left knee injury, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining such employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hemorrhoids. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA and private medical records, and requesting an addendum VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for hemorrhoids and remanded the claim for a lower back disorder (claimed as sciatic nerve pain). The case is now before the Board again, with an addendum opinion needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and remanded the cases of left foot bunions and right foot bunions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hemorrhoids was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's sinus bradycardia is granted as a service-connected condition. The claims for hypertension and hemorrhoids are remanded.