Hemorrhoids decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial rating for a scar left knee linear, residual of excision of ossicle was granted at 10 percent effective July 1, 2020. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids from July 1, 2020 is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 60 percent for his impairment of rectal sphincter control from March 7, 2018 is granted. An earlier effective date of March 7, 2018, but no earlier, for SMC housebound based on the additional service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hemorrhoids, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and tinnitus due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to seek medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a service connection.,The Veteran's claims for diverticulosis, erythematous mucosa, hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for GERD was remanded as there is no clear indication of a connection between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically lumbar myositis, right ankle injury residuals, and hemorrhoids, have rendered him unable to work since April 8, 2011. His TDIU is granted effective from that date, as well as his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 USC chapter 35.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 24, 2022 for a 10% disability rating for the service-connected hemorrhoids. The Veteran's symptoms were found to have increased within one year prior to this effective date.

The Veteran's current hemorrhoids are a continuation of the hemorrhoids he first experienced during his active duty service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for weight gain is denied as obesity, to include weight gain and/or weight fluctuation, is not a disability for VA compensation benefits purposes.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches is granted with a 50 percent evaluation effective May 19, 2022. The criteria for the maximum 50 percent rating are met as she experiences very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of headache pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, reoccurring rash on face and ears, toenail fungus, and athletes' foot have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.,Specifically, the Board determined that the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and hemorrhoids. The denial is due to lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, DEA benefits, and SMC based on housebound status were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 9, 2014.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to December 20, 2021, and any evaluation in excess of 10 percent from that date is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer, gout, and internal hemorrhoids due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxins during service. The claims will be reconsidered with the inclusion of an Individual Exposure Record (ILER).

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 17, 2021, for service connection were denied as the complete claim was not filed within one year of his intent to file a claim.,VA awarded SMC and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities starting from March 17, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by his service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other conditions. As such, the claim for service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's hemorrhoids, finding that his condition is no more than mild or moderate in nature and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for right ankle disorder, digestive disorder (claimed as 'lower digestive issues'), hemorrhoids, gallbladder removal, and scar resulting from gallbladder removal are remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The Board will order an examination for a right ankle disorder and obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the digestive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, hemorrhoids, residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, iliotibial strain of the right knee with degenerative joint disease, Graves' disease and irritable bowel syndrome and gastroenteritis have been granted increased ratings. TDIU, SMC based on housebound criteria, and basic eligibility for DEA have also been granted effective as of May 23, 2017.