Hemorrhoids decisions — 2003

The veteran seeks service connection for hemorrhoids and molluscum contagiosum. The Board notes that the first post-service evidence of these conditions is from January 1999, with a private medical record indicating small hemorrhoidal tags and recurrent molluscum contagiosum on the penis. The RO will attempt to obtain the results of the July 1992 private examinations conducted by the veteran's physician and schedule the veteran for additional VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The only granted claim was for hemorrhoids.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 20, 1994 for the grant of pension benefits. The appellant's claims were previously denied in May 1986 and he submitted a new claim on April 20, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis-rhinitis and hemorrhoid condition do not warrant a compensable disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia, bilateral knee condition, and hemorrhoids. The effective dates for a 10% evaluation of hiatal hernia and TDIU rating have been granted but the veteran disagrees with these effective dates.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and his DIC benefits based on the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and a lung disorder. The evidence does not support these claims as they are all related to conditions that did not have their onset during active service or within the first post-service year.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for hemorrhoids with history of anal fissure.

The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that there is material improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal cardiovascular disease was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and is not presumed to have been caused by his military service. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to procedural issues, and will consider all evidence obtained since the July 2002 decision.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's hemorrhoids, status post hemorrhoidectomy with poor rectal compliance and rectal incontinence, finding that his condition more closely approximates the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, upper respiratory disorders, tonsillitis, hemorrhoids, low back injury, frostbite, ingrown toenails, numbness of hands, fracture of left thumb, right shoulder dislocation, left elbow disability, arthritis of the back and shoulders, hyperopia and presbyopia, chloracne (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure), or acute/subacute peripheral neuropathy (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure).

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and hypertension, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and notification, including compliance with Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hemorrhoid disability, which is manifested by external hemorrhoids with no evidence of bleeding, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, a chronic acquired disorder of either knee or shoulder and ankles, back, and gastrointestinal system. The decision stated that these conditions were not shown to be related to service, including alleged chemical and/or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including cardiac disability and headaches, were not shown to be related to service in the Persian Gulf War. The Board denied all claims for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his hemorrhoids, which are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.