Hemorrhoids decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of sufficient severity to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, finding that he did not meet the criteria for eligibility due to lack of anatomical loss or use of limbs.

The veteran's claim for an extra-schedular evaluation for his service-connected hemorrhoids was denied by the Board. The disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids were evaluated at a 10 percent rating effective as of April 1, 1997. The appeal for an increased evaluation prior to February 4, 1997 was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and a low back disability, finding no evidence of aggravation or in-service injury that would support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids and service connection for glaucoma. The denial of the hemorrhoids claim is based on a lack of evidence showing large or thrombotic hemorrhoids that are irreducible, with excessive redundant tissue, and frequently recurring. For glaucoma, the Board found no medical records from the veteran's claimed treatment providers.

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

The Board dismissed the appeals because the veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the March 1996 and April 1999 rating decisions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids, an increase in evaluation to more than 10 percent prior to May 7, 1996, and an increase in evaluation to more than 20 percent from May 7, 1996 to September 1, 1999.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, neurodermatitis, and external hemorrhoids. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is deferred until the rating for hemorrhoids is resolved.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the duodenal ulcer claim. The other claims were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's appeal was not timely filed for several conditions, including neck and shoulder injury, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and left knee disorder. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of hemorrhoids do not result in persistent bleeding with secondary anemia or fissures, and thus does not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's low back disorder is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, effective from May 4, 1995. Service connection has been granted for PTSD and seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent evaluation, and his hemorrhoids warrant no more than a zero percent evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, epidermatophytosis of the feet, and hemorrhoids. The current rating for each condition remains unchanged.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran had hemorrhoids prior to his second period of service. The medical records do not show a pre-existing condition, and there is insufficient medical nexus evidence linking current hemorrhoids to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's perirectal abscess and fistula, right great toe disability (post-operative), left great toe disability (post-operative), and hemorrhoids.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected hemorrhoid and gynecological conditions, finding that the current disability ratings are appropriate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not warrant an increased rating, as they are currently nonthrombosed, moderately large, internal hemorrhoids without redundant tissue evidencing frequent recurrences.