Hemorrhoids decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (PTSD) is pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and hepatitis, claiming as yellow jaundice. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar warts and compensable rating for hemorrhoids, as well as his service connection claims for nerve damage to the hands and wrists (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), dizziness (claimed as vertigo and a black-out seizure disorder), and headaches. The clothing allowance claim was denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for hypothyroidism and hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran is granted a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to service-connected conditions affecting multiple joints, including the right hip and left hip. The special home adaptation grant claim is denied as it would be precluded by the benefits already awarded under section 2101(a).

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic right ear hearing loss disability and granted it. Service connection is also established for right leg post-phlebitic syndrome. The claims for left ear hearing loss disability and hemorrhoids are denied.

The Board denied both claims for increased ratings, finding that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not warrant higher disability evaluations based on the clinical evidence provided.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and left wrist sprain have been granted compensable evaluations. Service connection for neck strain has also been established, but the other issues remain unresolved.

The veteran is entitled to vocational rehabilitation training due to her service-connected disabilities and employment handicap.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected external and internal hemorrhoids warrant a 20 percent rating, effective from June 1, 1997. The service-connected calcified granulatous disease is not rated as compensable.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that there is no current evidence of large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with frequent recurrences.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hemorrhoidal disorder likely had its clinical onset during service and grants the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and assigned a 30% rating. The other issues of secondary service connection have been denied as not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and temporary total ratings, finding that his ulcerative colitis did not warrant higher evaluations from July 10, 1976 to July 25, 1991 or after July 25, 1991. The rating for internal hemorrhoids was also denied.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits was denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple conditions, including those allegedly related to Agent Orange exposure. The decision found that there was no competent medical evidence linking these symptoms or disorders to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a VA clothing allowance because the Chief Medical Director or designee certified that physician-prescribed medication for his service-connected pruritus ani with history of hemorrhoids does not cause irreparable damage to his outergarmets.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected hemorrhoids, which are currently rated at 10 percent. The RO has requested additional medical evidence and will review the claim again after the examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids was denied because he failed to report for a required VA examination, and there is no evidence of good cause.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against the current assignment of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome, and compensable evaluations for hemorrhoids, chronic low back strain with early degenerative changes, and Crohn's disease and hiatal hernia with chest pain are denied.