Hemorrhoids decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid condition has not been evaluated since 2018, and his current symptoms may indicate a more severe disability. The case is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depression and anxiety) has been granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (IBS with constipation) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for depression and service connection for corneal abrasion are dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids as secondary to his service-connected IBS is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, which is related to his right knee disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been reopened, and the reduction of his peptic ulcer disease rating from 60% to 20% is restored. Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and gastrointestinal condition due to insufficient examination opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hemorrhoid disability was onset during his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, hemorrhoids, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are granted. The appeals for service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, hemorrhoids, and hypertension due to a lack of adequate medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 11, 2003 to May 27, 2015 due to his service-connected pruritis ani and hemorrhoids preventing him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for anal fistula and initial compensable rating for internal and external hemorrhoids associated with irritable bowel syndrome due to incomplete opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing their appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations to assess her current disability levels during flare-ups.

Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted as a qualifying chronic disability due to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Gulf War.,Service connection for internal and external hemorrhoids is denied because there was no anal or rectal injury or disease during service, and current hemorrhoids are not etiologically related to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 29, 2015 for the right knee disability rating. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection on various issues have been remanded.

The application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. The applications to reopen claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, left knee condition, right knee condition, neck condition, and right ear hearing loss are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and rating claims, including voiding dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, external hemorrhoids, nephrolithiasis, thoracolumbar spine disability, left hamstring disability, right hamstring disability, right shoulder disability, sinusitis, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service varicocele and his current hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD is rated at 60 percent from October 30, 2015. The effective date for this rating is October 30, 2015.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent for internal hemorrhoids is granted as of October 30, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing and because some of the issues have new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.