Citation Nr: 21068379 Decision Date: 11/10/21 Archive Date: 11/10/21 DOCKET NO. 19-05 619 DATE: November 10, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the Army from August 1982 to July 1999. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2018 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Des Moines, Iowa (Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ)). The Veteran testified at a virtual hearing before the undersigned in March 2021. A transcript of the proceeding is of record. During the Veteran's hearing, he testified as to the severity of the symptoms he experiences from his service-connected hemorrhoids. He stated that he has flare ups 2-3 times per week after bowel movements and they tend to itch and bleed. He also experiences flare ups when he walks at work; he carries medicated wipes and hemorrhoid cream with him just in case. He has reportedly had to leave work in the past due to the extreme irritation caused by his hemorrhoids. The Veteran self-treats at home due to the cost of medical care; he sits in the bathtub, takes sitz baths, and uses medicated wipes and/or preparation H. The Veteran further testified that he does not receive medical treatment for his hemorrhoids and typically "suffers through it." Nonetheless, he referenced going to the emergency room on a couple occasions in the past 6-8 months for external hemorrhoids with blood clots. He indicated this was through his private insurance (i.e. not at a VA facility), but he testified that he planned on getting enrolled with VA. The undersigned Veterans' Law Judge (VLJ) explained to the Veteran during the hearing that the criteria for the next highest disability rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids required observation of symptomatology by a physician. To that end, the records of his treatment at the referenced emergency room as well as any private treatment records he may have as it pertains to his hemorrhoids is highly relevant. For these reasons, the Board must remand to seek these records, as well as to seek any VA treatment records (based on the Veteran's indication he was planning to seek treatment within VA). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. The AOJ shall associate the Veteran's VA medical treatment records with his file, specifically any records that exist from March 2021 to present. 2. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any private treatment providers that have treated him for hemorrhoids, to include the emergency room referenced during his virtual hearing. Thereafter, obtain and associate with the claims folder any private treatment records identified. 3. Afford the Veteran current VA examination to evaluate the nature and severity of his hemorrhoids. 4. Thereafter, readjudicate the claim. If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, furnish the Veteran and his representative, if any, a supplemental statement of the case and an appropriate period of time to respond. T. MAINELLI Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Victoria A. Banis, Counsel The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.