Hemorrhoids decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's hemorrhoids are of service origin and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of varicose veins and hemorrhoids have been remanded to the RO. The claim for service connection for a tumor of the right jaw in postoperative status must be addressed again.

The veteran's death was caused by anoxic encephalopathy due to or as a consequence of bypass and postoperative bleed, with ischemic heart disease listed as the underlying cause. The service-connected left knee disability is considered a contributory cause of his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, finding that his disabilities do not render him incapable of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, status post right knee meniscus tear, and residuals of a bone chip in the right hip. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder (poison ivy dermatitis), dental trauma, respiratory disorders, and other conditions.

The Board found that the November 1995 rating decision denying service connection for various conditions was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's motion for a total rating based on individual unemployability, concluding that his combined service-connected disabilities did not prevent all forms of gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability with tendonitis and hemorrhoids do not warrant increased ratings, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would support higher evaluations. The RO's initial grant of a 10% rating for each condition remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on persistent bleeding or signs of secondary anemia and fissures.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's ulcerative colitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his condition has been stable and he does not meet the criteria for a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board granted the veteran a total rating for compensation purposes by reason of individual unemployability, effective from March 27, 1998.

The VA has granted increased ratings for anxiety with depression, sinusitis with rhinitis, and tinnitus. The appellant's left ear sensorineural hearing loss, hemorrhoids, residuals of a left radius fracture, residuals of a right carponavicular bone fracture, and scars on the left cheek and lower lip are all rated at their maximum possible levels.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hemorrhoids and colitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating. The effective date claim was also denied as there is no indication in the record that the veteran raised this issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hemorrhoids or anal fissures, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's pension benefits were reduced due to his receipt of Social Security disability benefits, effective June 1, 1996. The Board found that the reduction was proper based on the law and not disputed by evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of hemorrhoids, right shoulder impingement with arthritis, or benign prostatic hypertrophy to support service connection claims. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not show large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue evidencing frequent recurrences.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, while his hemorrhoids remain noncompensable.