Hemorrhoids decisions — 2003

The RO granted service connection for pes planus, herniated nucleus pulposus at the L2 level with chronic low back pain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, pes planus, and herniated nucleus pulposus were granted.

The Board found that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux with hiatal hernia and postoperative hemorrhoids do not warrant a higher disability rating, as they are currently rated at 10 percent for both conditions.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the veteran's hemorrhoids, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar disability results in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, undress himself, or keep himself clean and presentable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hemorrhoids and right patellar tendonitis, finding that the current evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board finds that the appellant's claimed disabilities of arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, and hemorrhoids were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions became manifest to a degree of 10 percent within one year after separation from service.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected bilateral varicosities of the lower extremities and hemorrhoids have been denied. The RO assigned a 20% rating for the left lower extremity, effective from April 1998, but did not grant any higher ratings. For the right lower extremity, a 10% rating was granted as of January 29, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids and an anal fissure, finding no evidence of chronic disability during his active military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and residuals of a head injury from shell fragments, but denied service connection for hemorrhoids as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids, which was previously denied in January 1991. The Board finds that the veteran's current disability is one and the same with those episodes of hemorrhoids he experienced during his period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and bilateral patellofemoral disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has granted a 20% initial disability evaluation for the veteran's hemorrhoids, which are characterized by persistent bleeding and anal fissures. The highest schedular rating provided under Diagnostic Code 7336 is assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities of hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, chronic bronchitis, and hemorrhoids were not incurred or aggravated during active military service. These conditions may not be presumed to be causally related to such service.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, and essential tremors of both hands have been denied. The conditions are rated as noncompensable under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's disabilities, including a left calcaneal fracture, hypertension, emphysema, hemorrhoids, and hernia repair, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total rating for pension purposes due to their combined noncompensable evaluations.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and fissure in ano. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between any current conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoidectomy and his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-operative hemorrhoids with rectal stress incontinence was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to the RO for additional development.