Hemorrhoids decisions — 2000

The Board has granted the veteran increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a left ankle injury, but denied his claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and right fifth finger fractures.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, and pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. The conditions were evaluated under a direct service connection theory without any presumption or secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and dermatitis are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board found no evidence of an increase in severity of the veteran's pre-existing hemorrhoids during service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA Regional Office has denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's penile and scrotal skin condition and hemorrhoids.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right toe fracture, a compensable disability evaluation for hemorrhoids, and a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for thoracic spine pain. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 5, 1997, for a 10% rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids. The RO found that the criteria for a 10% evaluation were not met prior to May 28, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disorder, a hip disorder, and evaluations in excess of 0 percent for diverticulosis and hemorrhoids. The appeals were not well-grounded as there was no competent medical evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions.

The veteran's residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy are rated at 10 percent, considering the symptoms such as external hemorrhoidal tags and decreased sphincter control requiring use of a pad for fecal incontinence.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not suffer from disabilities that render him so nearly helpless as to need such assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were not well-grounded and denied them.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable initial rating for sinusitis with tinnitus and headache. A separate 10 percent disability evaluation was granted for tinnitus. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, hemorrhoids, and class III ruptured mouth. The claims were not well-grounded as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the non-compensable disability evaluation for hemorrhoids was proper based on the current clinical manifestations and lack of required symptoms.

The veteran's service-connected Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The RO has also determined that the veteran is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoidectomy residuals do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or materially contribute to his death from AIDS and ESRD, which were related to drug use.

The RO denied higher initial evaluations for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, degenerative arthritis of the lower lumbar spine, tinnitus, residuals of a fracture of the ulna, and hemorrhoids. The claims for sinusitis, stomach disorder, labyrinthitis, otitis media, right wrist disorder, and lung disorder with sleep disturbances are not well grounded.