Hemorrhoids decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently evaluated as non-compensable due to the lack of evidence showing large or thrombotic hemorrhoids, persistent bleeding with secondary anemia or fissures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of SMC based on A&A. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on being housebound is moot due to the greater monetary benefit provided by SMC at the A&A rate.

The Veteran's neck disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, is granted service connection.,Service connection for left arm radiculopathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.,Service connection for diverticulitis is denied as there is no persuasive evidence that it began during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no persuasive evidence that they began during active service, or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a condition subject to presumptive service connection due to exposure to burn pits and other environmental hazards, is granted based on the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 and TDIU are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain relevant treatment records and provide an adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's colorectal condition, including internal hemorrhoids with lipoma and rectal bleeding, is being reviewed again to determine if it is related to service or an undiagnosed illness from Gulf War service.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids as secondary to the service-connected fatty liver with a disability manifested by constipation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left foot disorder, hemorrhoids, pruritus ani, and anemia are related to service. However, due to lack of evidence in the record, the VA examinations were not able to provide a clear opinion on whether these conditions are directly related to service or if they are caused by exposure to environmental hazards and toxic chemicals while deployed in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is less than 60% and he can still perform sedentary employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100%, combined. He does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate, and his TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is not entitled to SMC at a rate intermediate between SMC(l) and SMC(m) (SMC(p)) because he does not have an additional disability rated as 50 or 100 percent disabling.,The Veteran's claim for higher level of SMC, claimed as entitlement to SMC(t), is denied due to the lack of evidence showing that he requires a 'higher level of care' than what is required for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has vacated the July 2021 decision and remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient development of evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), and heart disability are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the DM and heart disability issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hemorrhoids and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hemorrhoids, and CTS were reopened due to new evidence submitted. The effective date for the award of service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is set at May 19, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psoriasis, cervical spine disability, low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, left shoulder disability, residuals of a left fibula scar, and other conditions, have rendered him unemployable since August 23, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU benefits from that date.