Hemorrhoids decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and tinnitus. The cases are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals for vacatur of decisions denying increased ratings and effective dates, except for tinnitus where a higher rating is not available as a matter of law.

The Board has remanded the claims for hemorrhoids, neck disorder, and back disorder due to a lack of clarity regarding the Veteran's current address and his interest in participating in the requested examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various hand and elbow conditions were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease with atrial fibrillation is rated at 60 percent, effective February 11, 2023. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are granted. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for obesity and remanded the remaining issues related to hiatal hernia, GERD, esophagitis, gastritis with dysphagia, hemorrhoids, ganglion cyst, right hand, asthma with chronic cough, lymphadenopathy, granulomatous disease, and pilonidal cyst.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for hemorrhoids with anal fissure and papilla beginning October 12, 2016. The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is rated as 10 percent effective July 6, 2017. The Board has also remanded the issues of atopic dermatitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for tinea corporis.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for internal hemorrhoids has been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease are remanded due to new statutory duties under the PACT Act regarding toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).,The Veteran's appeals of the ratings assigned for left ankle strain and right ankle strain have been remanded as the April 2021 examination report is inadequate.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD with cognitive impairments due to MS is granted a 100% rating, and service connection for hemorrhoids as secondary to IBS is granted. The claims of increased ratings for the low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, headaches, and kidney stones are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 15, 2016 have been denied as there is no evidence of a claim filed before this date.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids has been denied as no new and relevant evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability has been denied as no new and relevant evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) has been granted based on the submission of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleeping disorder (diagnosed as sleep apnea) has been granted based on the submission of new and relevant evidence.

Service connection for IBS is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for Hemorrhoids as secondary to IBS is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect reliance on a VA medical examiner's opinion and the need for a new opinion that addresses the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, recurrent hemorrhoids, a recurrent bilateral eye disability (glaucoma and cataracts), a recurrent disability manifested by hair loss, a dental disability (rotten teeth), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, a recurrent lower extremity disability (tendinitis), and bilateral hearing loss. These claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the Veteran not responding to a request for waiver of AOJ consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids, esophageal spasms, and migraines due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service. Additional development is needed to confirm exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos, if applicable, and to obtain a VA examination to determine the etiology of each condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure and has persisted since service.,Hypercholesterolemia is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes, thus the claim cannot be granted.,There is no current diagnosis of hemorrhoids or renal dysfunction. The Veteran's complaints are deemed subjective and self-reported without objective evidence supporting these conditions.,The Veteran has bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and nephrolithiasis which were diagnosed post-service but not related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as the etiology of the condition remains unclear.,Service connection for cervical spine disability (degenerative arthritis) is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking the current condition to service.,Service connection for nephrolithiasis is remanded as there are no definitive diagnoses prior to the Veteran's claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's low back disability, rectum prolapse, and hemorrhoids due to lack of recent VA examinations and updated treatment records.