Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a separate rating for thoracic spine disability was denied as the original decision granting separate ratings was clearly and unmistakably erroneous.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which meet the percentage requirements.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's combined disability ratings throughout the period on appeal equate to 90 percent, meeting the schedular requirement for a TDIU. However, he failed to respond to requests for information regarding his employment history and has inconsistent self-reported employment history.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 28, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being permanently and substantially confined to his immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service and there is no evidence of a nexus to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted as the disability was shown as chronic during a presumptive period and is not attributable to intercurrent causes.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not service-connected as he has not had them at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, acid reflux disability, low back disability, left hip disability (secondary to a low back disability), and right hip disability (secondary to a low back disability) is remanded as there are inextricably intertwined issues with pes planus that need further clarification.,Service connection for pes planus is remanded as the examiner must provide an opinion on whether it was worsened beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are not rated higher than noncompensable due to the lack of large or thrombotic, irreducible, with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrences. The condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed hemorrhoids. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate medical professional to address whether the condition pre-existed service, was aggravated during service, had its onset in or is related to service, and if it was incurred during any period of active duty for training.

The Veteran's body pain, hemorrhoids, dry eye syndrome, and stomach hernia were not incurred in service.,Service connection for bronchitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, hemorrhoids, headaches, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition). The rating of 10 percent disability is assigned for these conditions. Service connection for hypertensive heart disease was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was reopened on February 23, 2015. The Board found that the effective date of this grant should be set at February 23, 2015, as it is the earliest date where a claim to reopen was received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations. The issues include heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), hemorrhoids, left thumb injury, and right foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to incomplete opinions and the need for additional development, including physical examinations.

The Veteran's GERD/hiatal hernia with erosive gastritis is rated at 30 percent, but no more, since May 31, 2013.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the right thumb scar is granted.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Board already ruled on all your issues in a previous decision and there is no remaining case or controversy.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's death, as they do not survive their deaths.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings for his knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hemorrhoids during active duty, and there was no evidence of a compensable rating for his right knee scar. His initial rating for his right knee disability prior to September 2, 2015 was denied as he had adequate range of motion. A separate 10 percent rating was granted from February 24, 2015 to September 1, 2015 for weakness and falls following meniscus surgery. The Veteran's initial rating higher than 30 percent from January 1, 2017 onward for his total right knee replacement was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and TDIU was denied. The initial rating for reversible obstructive airway disease prior to May 25, 2022 is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 6604-6602. For the period from May 25, 2022, the Veteran's disability remains at 30 percent and no higher rating is warranted. The Board also found that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an increased rating for hemorrhoids, finding that the condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating during the period from March 9, 2015 to April 27, 2022.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports reopening the claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, hemorrhoids, respiratory disorder, left ankle, and left foot disorders. These conditions are now subject to further evaluation.,The appeal as to these six issues is granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) is granted, as he has no effective function remaining in his bilateral lower extremities other than what would be equally well served by an amputation with use of a prosthetic appliance.