Citation Nr: 22016246 Decision Date: 03/21/22 Archive Date: 03/21/22 DOCKET NO. 20-12 339 DATE: March 21, 2022 ORDER Service connection for hemorrhoids is granted. FINDING OF FACT The Veteran's hemorrhoids began during active service. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for hemorrhoids are met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from January 2010 to August 2010, and then from January 2016 to September 2018. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2019 rating decision from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran and his significant other presented sworn testimony at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in February 2022. 1. Entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids. The Veteran reports that his hemorrhoids began in service and have been recurrent since that time. The Board concludes that the Veteran has a current disability that began during active service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). A September 2009 report of medical history notes the Veteran reported having hemorrhoids, explained as "blood - on tissue paper" and that it was intermittent. A September 2018 service treatment record notes that upon separation physical, no hemorrhoids were seen. The Veteran was afforded a VA rectum and anus conditions examination in November 2018. A diagnosis of hemorrhoids was noted, and the Veteran reported a history of hemorrhoids since 2013 with flare-ups almost every time he goes to the bathroom, requiring him to push it back up. In a December 2019 nexus statement, a VA physician noted the Veteran had a diagnosis of grade 3 internal hemorrhoids and opined that they are more likely than not related to the Veteran's service. The physician stated that hemorrhoids had been reported since 2013 and most likely were caused by diet and toilet habits while on active duty, causing constipation that led to the development of chronic hemorrhoids. The opinion is supported by a fully articulated, factually accurate, and provides sound reasoning for the conclusion reached. See, Nieves-Rodrigues v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 295, 304 (2008). In addition, because the opinion is based on the Veteran's competent and credible report of having hemorrhoids in and since service, the Board finds the opinion to be significantly probative. A March 2019 VA treatment record notes the Veteran reported that his hemorrhoids have flared and are bleeding. In his March 2020 Notice of Disagreement (NOD), the Veteran stated that when he reported hemorrhoids on his enlistment exam, they were self-diagnosed and that he did not know for a fact whether he had this condition. He further stated that in 2018, "immediately following [his] exit from active duty, [he] asked for help" for his hemorrhoids that were troubling him every time he had a bowel movement. He then stated that this led to multiple minor procedures for chronic hemorrhoids. He further stated that his condition worsened while on active duty. The Veteran testified at the February 2022 Board hearing that he has modified his diet which has resulted in a softer stool. The Veteran offered competent and credible testimony regarding the onset, severity and recurrence of this problem, which he understandably described as a "personal issue" for which he was reluctant to seek formal care. Upon review of the record, the Board finds the evidence shows that the Veteran's current hemorrhoids arose in service. Accordingly, the Board finds that service connection for hemorrhoids is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. STEVEN D. REISS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Keeley, Brian 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.