Hemorrhoids decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, skin rash of the inner thighs, and bilateral leg disorder with weakness are not well grounded. The medical evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his period of service.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings was granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for benign prostatic hypertrophy and a compensable rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss effective June 10, 1999. The appeal for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The veteran's hemorrhoids are found to have been incurred in service. The claims for service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for TDIU in November 1985, concluding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from some form of substantially gainful employment compatible with his education and occupational experience.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids were denied by the RO. The RO did not assign a rating higher than 10 percent for his low back condition or his tinnitus, but continued to deny his requests for higher ratings for his bilateral patello-femoral syndrome and hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for post-operative residuals of a cleft palate and residuals of hemorrhoid surgery, including a prolapse of the rectum. The decision is mixed as it addresses both issues.

The veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted, with a combined schedular evaluation of 60 percent for migraine headaches, Raynaud's disease, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and have denied them accordingly.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disability and hemorrhoids, finding no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his severe gastrointestinal issues and cervical spine condition, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hemorrhoids do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or secondary anemia. The primary issue at hand is fecal incontinence, which does not relate to the service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and bilateral leg injuries, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for residuals of mumps. The RO also denied an increased rating for iridoschisis of the left eye with defective vision.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and hemorrhoids. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not granted.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings are not well grounded, and the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent have not been met.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder injury is granted. The claims for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and right hip bursitis are denied. Service connection for bilateral patellofemoral arthritis is granted. No new evaluation was assigned for gout or umbilical hernia. Ankylosing spondylitis with osteoarthritis and disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spines remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are not well grounded. His claim of entitlement to service connection for an eye condition is well grounded. The original ratings for epididymitis with a right epididymal cyst and hemorrhoids do not warrant the application of staged ratings.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for hypercholesterolemia, residuals of a left index finger strain, and bilateral hearing loss are not well grounded. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is granted, but an initial compensable evaluation is denied. The claim for increased rating for cervical spine disability remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of hemorrhoids in service and concluded that the veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation for the veteran's hemorrhoids and found service connection for a left foot disability, classified as pes planus. The right foot issue is considered new and material due to additional evidence submitted.