Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service-connected conditions, finding that he did not submit a claim within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has determined that further medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to conflicting examination opinions and lack of post-service medical records.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, contact dermatitis, TBI residuals, gastrointestinal disorder, PTSD, shoulder disorders, hemorrhoids, cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, vision loss, testosterone imbalance, wrist and hand disorders, hip disorders, and insomnia are all remanded. Additionally, his claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, a residual head injury scar, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss is also remanded. His TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hypertension, contact dermatitis, TBI, and gastrointestinal disorders. The Veteran also had his TDIU claim remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are denied. The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions, and the medical opinions did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 26, 2010 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the termination of SMC based on housebound status, effective June 1, 2010, was proper due to the Veteran not meeting the statutory requirements for the payment of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate beginning November 1, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The low back disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling, but the rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy before January 5, 2018, and a rating of 20 percent since then.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions regarding his claimed disabilities, and there was insufficient medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Veteran's claim of a compensable rating for his hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records from December 2008 to November 2012 and the need to associate the contents of a CD with the electronic claims file.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, an upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, and hemorrhoids as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations, which are required for proper evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting VA examinations. The issues of service connection for anal hemorrhoids, vaginal bleeding, fibroids, status-post total abdominal hysterectomy, and fistula of bladder are also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for reopening of claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and a left shoulder strain. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is reopened based on new evidence received since the December 2004 rating decision. Service connection is also granted for the right foot Achilles tendon.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service records and VA treatment records, as well as to conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids was granted, with a maximum rating of 20 percent. The claim for a higher rating for hydrocele was denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his service-connected external hemorrhoids and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for the hemorrhoids prior to September 15, 2016 or since then. For TDIU, the criteria were met as he had multiple service-connected disabilities but none alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or chronic sinusitis, and the Board finds that these claims are denied.,Regarding hemorrhoids, the Veteran has been granted service connection as his residuals from a previous surgery are considered to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.