Hemorrhoids decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hemorrhoid condition is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for dyshidrotic dermatitis, meralgia paresthesia of the left thigh, hemorrhoids, and degenerative changes of the dorsal spine were denied. The VA granted a compensable rating for meralgia paresthesia of the left thigh.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine. The claims for hearing loss, chronic pain syndrome, sinusitis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and a right foot disorder were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a compensable evaluation in any of the cases. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for increased evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left thumb disability, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder. The initial noncompensable evaluations assigned following grants of service connection were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current anal fissure or hemorrhoid disability, and there is no evidence of a right knee disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's heart disorder and hemorrhoids to his active service, including any presumptive conditions. The appeal was denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for hemorrhoids, finding that the veteran's symptoms are well encompassed by the currently assigned 10 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC by reason of the need for additional aid and attendance benefits.

The Board found that the veteran did not have hemorrhoids in service and there is no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied.

The veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 7, 2000. This is the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer disease, hemorrhoids, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim for residuals of hepatitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disorder, right leg varicose vein stripping scars, hemorrhoids, and knee disorders were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for any condition.

The veteran's service-connected headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The RO has granted a separate noncompensable rating for his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) effective from November 2, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including kidney disorder, foot disability, menstrual disorder, left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disability, hypertension, eye disability, hemorrhoids, and sinus disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, a tender abdominal scar, and an increased evaluation for the service-connected gastrointestinal disorder. The veteran's ventral hernia and hemorrhoids are not found to be related to his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder.

The veteran's Crohn's disease is rated at 30 percent, and his hemorrhoids are rated at zero percent. The thoracic outlet syndrome remains at 10 percent, and the carpal tunnel syndrome does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of current leg or knee disorders, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.