The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU were denied. The maximum schedular rating for residuals of status-post hemorrhoid surgery has been granted, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating. Lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent disabling, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity at 10 percent, and left lower extremity at 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated based on their severity under the applicable diagnostic codes. His combined rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his disability picture does not preclude securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, hemorrhoids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1749066
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1749066.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
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