Citation Nr: 21076745
Decision Date: 12/27/21	Archive Date: 12/27/21

DOCKET NO. 17-09 882
DATE: December 27, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in the United States Army from July 1982 to December 1982, with additional periods of service in the Army Reserves.  

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a December 2015 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  In February 2019 and August 2021, the Board remanded this matter to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, and it has since returned for further appellate review.  

In the August 2021 remand, the Board noted that the Veteran was treated for and diagnosed with internal hemorrhoids in August 1985.  Thus, the Board directed the AOJ to verify all ACDUTRA and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) dates for the Veteran's Army Reserves service from August 1985.  The Board finds that there was substantial compliance with the remand directives as service personnel records including leave and earning statements were obtained for August 1985.  See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998).  

On further review of the records, an August 2, 1985 service treatment note shows that the Veteran was treated for blood in her stools which she had experienced for about a week.  As there is indication that the Veteran began experiencing blood in her stools in July 1985, a remand is required to verity the dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service in July 1985.    

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

Verify all ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates for the Veteran's United States Army Reserve service from July 1985.  If necessary, a request should be made to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).  Document all requests for information as well as all responses in the claims file.  

 

 

D. Martz Ames

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	M. Mathew

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.