The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids was denied, and claims for service connection for a neck condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and lower back condition were remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids was factually ascertainable prior to March 17, 2023, and the opinions regarding the service connection claims were inadequate due to failure to consider lay assertions of onset and continuity of symptoms and reliance on absence of documented evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- hemorrhoids, neck condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lower back condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 4, 2025
- Citation
- A25031389
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA, but denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for hemorrhoids due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an additional direct medical opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings, and earlier effective dates, as well as dismissed his claim for a TDIU.
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