Hemorrhoids decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for pes planus, cavernous hemangioma of the left lower extremity, and hemorrhoids.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, beriberi, hemorrhoids, hypertension, and a nervous condition due to lack of current medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's need for medications purchased from a private pharmacy was reasonably met due to a medical emergency and practical considerations, leading to reimbursement.

The Board has granted a 30% evaluation for hemorrhoids with impairment of sphincter control, and has not addressed the tinea pedis issue due to lack of appeal.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for asthma, to include sleep apnea, effective from May 22, 1997. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and evaluations for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation services as he has successfully maintained employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, and thus the claim for service connection for the cause of death is well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, residuals of left thumb injury, and residuals of right shoulder injury. The claim for service connection for headaches was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hemorrhoids, but granted his claim for a noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss with an effective date of July 18, 1997 for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, and thus denied them. The VA also did not assign a disability rating or effective date as no evaluation was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for a right knee disability. The decision also held in abeyance his claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The veteran is entitled to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected Môniére's disease, which precludes locomotion without assistive devices.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, dermatitis of the feet, and upper gastrointestinal disability are granted due to their being related to undiagnosed illnesses possibly associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the award of service connection for status post hemorrhoidectomy with moderately swollen internal and external hemorrhoids is September 9, 1993. However, an earlier effective date prior to September 9, 1993, cannot be established.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for hemorrhoids and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, finding that he did not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disorder warrants a 20% evaluation, effective October 1, 1996. The ratings for hemorrhoids and post-operative residuals of the right 5th finger remain at 10%. These decisions are based on the clinical evidence showing moderate intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks, mild limitation of motion, and no ankylosis or severe lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of residuals of right ankle sprain and hemorrhoids and hypertrophic anal papilla were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hemorrhoids are not well grounded. The claim of entitlement to a higher evaluation for Crohn's disease with postoperative residuals of resection of the small and large intestine is denied as there is no evidence showing that the current disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for loss of bladder and bowel control are not well grounded as there is no evidence showing a current disability related to service or service-connected low back disability. The claim for residuals of injury to the head, including scarring, is also not well grounded due to lack of credible evidence of such an injury during service.