Hemorrhoids decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected neck disability, from January 11, 2006. The remaining issues have been remanded and will be addressed again.

The Veteran's hypercholesterolemia is not a disability for VA purposes, and there is no evidence of current hemorrhoids or bilateral shin splints.,Pending determinations on the right foot condition, gout, conjunctivitis of the right eye, facial injury, migraine headaches, left ankle condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the cases involving service connection for hearing loss, hemorrhoids, lumbar spine disability, and a neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities (numbness in legs and feet).

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of sinusitis during or recent to the filing of the claim.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied an increased rating, with no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment found.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chipped tooth has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left bicep tendonitis and rotator cuff tendonitis, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, right hand condition, right ankle condition, gastrointestinal condition, hemorrhoids, and headaches have all been remanded due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, gouty arthritis of the right foot, and erectile dysfunction, are found to cause his depressive disorder. Service connection for depressive disorder is granted as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings due to CUE in multiple rating decisions. The Board finds that the RO did not address all theories of CUE, specifically regarding receipt of new and relevant service department records submitted by the Veteran in 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, and migraines is granted. The PACT Act recognizes these conditions as presumptive due to burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent evaluation is the maximum available.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied because it does not meet VA compensation criteria.,A TDIU award is granted based on service-connected disabilities preventing substantial gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizophrenia remains remanded due to potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions.,Claims for higher ratings for right rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are also remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and metatarsalgia remain remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergic rhinitis, internal hemorrhoids, right colon adenoma, umbilical hernia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.,The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for a right colon adenoma is also remanded.,Service connection claims for an umbilical hernia secondary to the right colon adenoma and diabetes mellitus remain remanded.,Claims for service connection for heart disability, including hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right foot 4th toe fracture was denied due to failure to report for the scheduled examination. The effective date for the 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids was granted based on private medical records showing a thrombosed hemorrhoidectomy in January 2011. For the period from November 23, 2015 to March 9, 2016, the Veteran received a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids. Since March 10, 2016, he is receiving the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hemorrhoids and impaired sphincter control, finding that the effective date should be August 29, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee, left knee, and hemorrhoids disabilities have been denied. The case is REMANDED to consider the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and to develop his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the service connection for lower back disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right shoulder disability are granted service connection. The Veteran's hemorrhoids and jaw disability claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for the service-connected hemorrhoids from October 28, 2015 through January 9, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The cases are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's onychomycosis was granted service connection as it is related to active service.,The Veteran's rhinitis and hemorrhoids were denied increased ratings as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, have rendered him unemployable since June 2, 2016. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance is also established as of that date.