Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective the date of his claim. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hemorrhoids are not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was granted prior to January 11, 2017. Since then, the issue of a higher rating has been denied.,For his spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, the Veteran's claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids was denied, but his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was granted. The effective date of the PTSD grant is April 20, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board denied service connection for a hemorrhoid disorder and did not grant an increased rating for duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The VA examiner opined that the current back disorder is unrelated to active service, based on a lack of objective findings during service and no diagnosis within one year of separation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back and cervical spine conditions, require regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board videoconference hearing. The claims for increased ratings and service connection remain pending.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted, but the claim for obstructive sleep apnea and hemorrhoids are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids prior to July 20, 2016 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. From July 20, 2016, he received the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for a colon disorder and hemorrhoids, which he claims are residuals of an appendectomy in service. The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and additional development is necessary.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability, effective October 26, 2001. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected hemorrhoid disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service due to noise exposure. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Board has granted a compensable rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's hemorrhoids, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's service connection claims for diverticulosis, gout, and left lung mass are denied as not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, given his vocational opinion and testimony indicating he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, the Board has determined that extraschedular consideration may be warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected hemorrhoids. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for hemorrhoids and plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia (previously rated as left big toe tendonitis) have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for Crohn's disease is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it at least as likely as not that the condition began during active duty service. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids and arthritis of the left knee are found to be service-connected.