Hemorrhoids decisions — 2001

The veteran withdrew her appeals regarding the timeliness of the notice of disagreement to the March 1988 denial of service connection for hemorrhoids and for residuals of an injury to the back of the whole body; entitlement to service connection for an acute situational reaction, claimed as residuals of a rape; service connection for costochondritis, claimed as residuals of a sternum injury; and the evaluation of fibrocystic breast disease. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing hemorrhoids increased in severity during his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected post-surgical repair of a right ankle fracture, residuals of a nasal bone fracture, and hemorrhoids. The disabilities are currently rated at their maximum possible under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids is being remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication, including scheduling another VA proctologic examination.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected gunshot wound to the left iliac region, hemorrhoids, and lumbosacral paravertebral myositis was denied. The RO granted a 40% evaluation for lumbosacral paravertebral myositis effective December 30, 1999.,The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the 40% rating of lumbosacral paravertebral myositis was also denied. The RO found that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities was not warranted.

The veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations on several knee and finger conditions was dismissed due to the failure to file a timely Substantive Appeal.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred on March 21, 2000 was denied as he did not have prior authorization from VA and the services were not rendered in a medical emergency that would have been hazardous to his life or health. Additionally, VA facilities were found to be feasibly available.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability, finding that the schedular criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent had not been met.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, skin disease (vitiligo), hemorrhoids, and right elbow disability. The appeals are based on direct evidence of these conditions without any presumption or secondary linkage to service.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal as his Substantive Appeal was not timely filed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, chronic sinusitis, and hypertension have been denied. The claim of a skin disability is pending.

The veteran's initial non-compensable rating for hemorrhoids with anal fissure and polyps has been granted.,The veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left ankle fracture residuals has been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, carpal tunnel release of both wrists, hemorrhoids, repair of anal fissure, removal of colon polyps, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, residuals of cholecystectomy, residuals of appendectomy, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disability and hemorrhoids, as well as service connection for a lumbosacral disorder. The effective dates are not specified in this decision.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted, with the exception of the claim for hemorrhoids which has not yet been reopened.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on persistent bleeding or secondary anemia/fissures.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids to 20 percent, effective from November 12, 1996. The effective date for this increase is also established as November 12, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dyshidrosis with tinea pedis warrants a rating of at least 30 percent. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The veteran's claim for pension benefits due to non-service connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the extent of his disabilities.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the residuals of a left parotid tumor resection with scar and facial asymmetry and right parotid tumor, as well as a compensable disability evaluation for internal hemorrhoids with a scar on the left buttock.