Hemorrhoids decisions — 2003

The Board denied the appellant's claim for increased DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311 based on hypothetical entitlement to a total disability rating for a continuous period of at least 8 years prior to death, finding that the veteran had never been rated as 100% disabling during his lifetime and denying the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of hemorrhoids with impaired anal sphincter and fecal incontinence, as well as his temporary total rating claim. The appeal was dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to compensable evaluations for a scar on his right first metatarsal due to infection and ulcer, as well as for hemorrhoids. The Board found that the scars did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation and that the veteran's hemorrhoids were currently asymptomatic with no persistent bleeding or secondary anemia.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including cervical and dorsal spine degenerative changes, bilateral hip and shoulder disabilities, pes planus, TMJ syndrome, and hemorrhoids.

Your case is being sent back to the Regional Office for further development and consideration of your claim for a compensable disability evaluation for hemorrhoids.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids was denied, and he is now receiving a 10 percent evaluation. Service connection for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids.

The veteran's service records show he had injuries to his diaphragm, liver, and spleen during a car accident in service. Postoperative residuals of these lacerations are now considered service-connected.

The veteran's service connection for hemorrhoids and bronchitis was granted. The initial evaluations for degenerative disc disease, chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger with traumatic arthritis (major) were increased to 40 percent, 30 percent, and noncompensable respectively.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to recent case law and outstanding records. The veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids are before the Board.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The claims for increased evaluations of the lumbar strain, right and left knee disabilities, and hemorrhoids were also granted.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no medical evidence establishing a link to service.

The Board found that the appellant's hemorrhoidal condition, which currently manifests with rectal bleeding and a thrombosed hemorrhoid with drainage, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, left ear hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for hemorrhoids due to new and material evidence submitted since the May 1992 rating decision. However, upon review of the record on the merits, the objective and competent medical evidence does not demonstrate a link between the current diagnosis of hemorrhoids and the veteran's period of active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than June 1, 1998, for a grant of service connection for sarcoidosis, arthritis of the second finger of the left hand, hypertension, degenerative changes of the right acromioclavicular joint, hemorrhoids, second degree burns on the second and third fingers, and residuals of a broken fifth finger of the right hand.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for additional dependency and indemnity compensation as of eight years prior to his death.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20% evaluation of service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as there is no evidence showing the disability had been compensably disabling prior to October 7, 1997.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids from June 19, 1996 through March 29, 1998 and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids effective March 30, 1998.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded for the requested development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.