Hemorrhoids — all decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back condition is not related to service, and has remanded the cases for further development regarding hemorrhoids and right wrist conditions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 10, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee osteoarthritis have been rated at 10 percent each since April 6, 2012. The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for instability in the knees, effective from April 6, 2012. For internal hemorrhoids, a noncompensable rating remains valid.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted within a year of the January 2018 rating decision, making it not final. The Veteran's representative contends his sleep apnea is due to weight gain caused by service-connected conditions. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 23, 2018, for the grant of service connection of hemorrhoids is denied. The Board finds that there was no intent to file a claim for hemorrhoids prior to January 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ataxia was resolved in his favor, and he is now receiving a 10% evaluation for orthostatic hypotension. The Board has also remanded the issue of SMC based on aid and attendance due to new evidence indicating that the Veteran may need regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids has been denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for urethral meatus condyloma prior to October 13, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent from that date onwards have also been denied.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for a chronic sinus disability and an initial 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids, but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diverticulosis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and remanded the claims for GERD, a psychiatric disorder, a cervical condition, a back condition, heart disease, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and a right shoulder condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disorders, as he did not meet the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids is granted as the condition had its onset during his military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for hemorrhoids, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating under DC 7336.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for hemorrhoids and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at a maximum of 20 percent, effective January 18, 2012. The claim for an increased rating for bursitis of the left shoulder is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a stomach virus, to include GERD; compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids; and compensable evaluation for service-connected melasma were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current diagnoses to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for posterior tibial tendonitis, right ankle; hemorrhoids; and rhinitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a rating of 20 percent for his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for seizure disorder was granted, and his claim for service connection for diverticulosis is being remanded.,A new examination is required to determine the severity of GERD with IBS and whether diverticulosis is related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of hemorrhoids, low back disability, hypertension, and right hip disability for further development as the medical records are inadequate to address the Veteran's STRs regarding these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for sleep apnea and rectal bleeding due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.