Hemorrhoids decisions — 2003

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits from June 16, 1990 is granted. The decision acknowledges that the veteran may have had a pending claim for TDIU benefits since June 1990 and concludes that he met the criteria for TDIU benefits as of this date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for status post hemorrhoidectomy with impairment of anal sphincter control and service connection for diverticulitis, finding that there was no medical evidence linking diverticulitis to his service-connected condition or treatment.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination of his skin and assignment of percentage evaluations for all disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and prolapsed hemorrhoids did not cause his death. The Board finds that neither of these conditions contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at a 10 percent evaluation, which is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for scar residuals associated with a right leg shell fragment wound and hemorrhoids, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, degenerative discospondylosis of the lumbar spine, callus of the left hand, and hematuria. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The veteran's aortic stenosis is granted as being due to his service-connected hypertension. His hypertension and nephrolithiasis are both granted increased ratings, while his hemorrhoids receive the maximum compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, and anxiety. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, including as due to cold injury residuals. The evidence did not show current arthritis or a link between the condition and service.,The Board also denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids. The symptoms were considered mild, with no large or thrombotic hemorrhoids.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following all kinds of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the condition meets the criteria for this rating based on frequent recurrence and multiple surgeries.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids were denied. The claim for TDIU benefits was also denied due to the presence of other factors preventing employment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final decision.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids was denied due to his failure to report for a required VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for VA outpatient dental treatment and payment or reimbursement of private dental expenses due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability, medical emergency, or other qualifying circumstances.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy are currently rated as noncompensably disabling, with objective evidence of asymptomatic external tags and some internal varicosities but no large or thrombotic hemorrhoids. The right eye disability is also rated as noncompensably disabling due to peripheral chorio-retinal scarring.,The veteran's service-connected residuals do not warrant an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids and denied reopening of the claim for chronic liver disease as secondary to service-connected hepatitis. The rating for residuals of duodenal ulcer was also denied, but a new rating of 40 percent for varicose veins of the right lower extremity was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected mental illness contributed to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.