Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Veteran's increased rating for hemorrhoids prior to July 12, 2019 is being remanded due to new evidence added to the claims file since the May 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to December 14, 2017 were not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The decision also granted SMC at the housebound rate prior to August 6, 2010.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the RO granted a compensable rating of 10 percent effective April 13, 2017. The issue is now remanded.,For hemorrhoids, the Veteran seeks a compensable rating but his condition has been rated as noncompensable since October 10, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurring hemorrhoids condition was at least as likely as not caused by prolonged sitting in service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current respiratory disability, hearing loss of the right ear, or right ankle disability. The Veteran also did not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, right index finger metacarpal fracture, left ear hearing loss disability, positive tuberculosis skin test, hypertension, hemorrhoids, scars of the right knee, left ankle, and tailbone, or hidradenitis suppurativa. The Veteran's TBI claim was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, a 10 percent rating for GERD, or a 30 percent rating for dysthymic disorder prior to September 16, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, skin rash, and hemorrhoids were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for prostate cancer residuals and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 22, 2019. From February 22, 2019, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, respiratory disability (chronic bronchitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infection of the tonsils, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, hypertension, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, shin splints, hemorrhoids, retracted testicle, and low sex drive have been granted. Effective dates prior to February 13, 2018 for bilateral foot bunions and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, low back disability (secondary to bilateral knee disability), and hemorrhoids. The reasons given were that the conditions did not pre-exist service or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for a digestive disability (claimed as constipation and irritable colon syndrome) and hemorrhoids to include as secondary to constipation are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the withholding of compensation benefits to recoup Special Separation Benefits (SSB) in the amount of $40,330.57 was proper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for external hemorrhoids, increased evaluations for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and a determination of whether she is entitled to TDIU prior to October 9, 2019. Additional evidence must be obtained and considered.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's dry eyes, vision impairment, left knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and hemorrhoids have been dismissed from the appeal.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from September 1, 2011 to November 14, 2011. The claim of entitlement to TDIU for the period from November 15, 2011 to December 31, 2012 is moot due to the Veteran's 100% schedular rating and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The claim of TDIU prior to September 1, 2011 was denied.

The Board has identified additional VA treatment records that have not been considered in the current rating decision. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for a thorough review of these new records.