The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for hemorrhoids and found that a timely substantive appeal was submitted with respect to the April 2004 denial of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. The issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches was granted with an effective date of August 28, 2014.,Service connection for eczema was granted with an effective date of August 10, 2022. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but the request was denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disorder.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection for gastroenteritis, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, right knee strain and hemorrhoids. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of a lumbosacral strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of a left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of right knee strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of hemorrhoids. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, as evidenced by his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and manage his daily medications. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC(l).

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder, gout, multiple painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).