Hemorrhoids decisions — 2002

The veteran's residuals of a right ankle injury, ganglion cyst of the right wrist, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted initial evaluations. The right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent disabling since January 27, 1997.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are evaluated at a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board found that the veteran's postoperative hemorrhoids and anal fistula were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as they clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service. The atrophy of the left testicle was also determined to be unrelated to a period of active duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids and service connection for a skin rash, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity after service or any competent medical opinion linking current conditions to service.

The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and concluded that service connection is not warranted for any of the disabilities listed.

Service connection was not granted for diverticulosis and residuals of colon polypectomy or degenerative arthritis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine as they were not shown to have been incurred in service. Service connection was also denied for left ulnar neuritis and hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including hemorrhoids, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, hypertension, and residuals of a left thumb fracture, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to military service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's postoperative hemorrhoids, finding that his current manifestations meet some of the criteria for a 10 percent rating and one of the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not warrant a compensable rating as they are manifested by small, minimal or mild hemorrhoids.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids with peri-rectal abscess and fistula-in-ano were rated at 10 percent from June 17, 1991 to January 4, 1994. Since then, the condition has been rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a disorder of the pancreas was denied. His hemorrhoids were granted an increased evaluation, and his residuals of rectal cancer received a higher rating after August 26, 2000. The veteran's psychiatric condition was rated at 70 percent effective from August 26, 2000.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that they produce impairment approximating large hemorrhoids with frequent recurrences.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorder, heart disease, and hemorrhoids were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for postoperative residuals of hemorrhoidectomy, finding that the veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for this rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left hip disorder and for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Board found no causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability and his cause of death from leukemia, which occurred many years after discharge. The appellant presented no competent medical evidence linking the cause of death to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic left knee or left ankle disability, and there is no current evidence of peri-rectal warts or hemorrhoids. The dental injury from service trauma claim was also denied as there is no current evidence of a residual disability.