Hemorrhoids decisions — 2004

The Board has expanded the issue to include service connection for hemorrhoids, which are claimed as residuals of shell fragment wounds to the lower extremities and buttocks. The claim is being remanded due to a lack of medical opinion linking current hemorrhoids to active service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, right knee meniscectomy, and left knee meniscectomy were denied as there is no evidence of subluxation or instability in either knee, and the medical findings do not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, effective February 3, 1997. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion and will be remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a liver disorder, residuals of head injury (including headaches), and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for a liver disorder, and there was no new or material evidence presented.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for hemorrhoidectomy, which was granted on March 13, 2003. The RO must attempt to obtain relevant medical records and review the claim again.

The RO has granted service connection for plantar warts with fasciitis of the right foot and hemorrhoids, but did not assign a specific rating. The veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, finding that there was no evidence of frequent recurrences or persistent bleeding from his hemorrhoids.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, a right lower eyelid laceration, and hemorrhoids were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including a VA psychiatric examination and completion of the VA Form 21-8940 for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a hearing loss disability in the left ear, finding that it was incurred during active military duty. The veteran's lay statements and medical evidence support this determination.

The veteran's service-connected left thumb and index finger disabilities are rated at 40 percent combined. The right little finger disability is rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids and did not reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, low back disorder (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), hypertension, edema of the feet, ankles, hands, abdomen, and face, diabetes mellitus, abnormal laboratory findings, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, liver disability (to include cirrhosis), respiratory (lung) disability, osteoarthritis of the major and minor joints, eye disability, tremors of the upper extremities, carpal tunnel syndrome, Meniere's syndrome, headaches with dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness, chronic Candida, low back pain with pain radiating into the hips (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), an acquired hamstring disorder, an acquired bilateral hip disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, and a bilateral elbow disorder. However, service connection is not established for any of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his hemorrhoids and chronic low back tendonitis with spasm are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new rating criteria.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for further action to obtain medical records from a state medical facility. The veteran's date of birth and social security number were omitted on his VA form, which was returned incomplete.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not warrant a compensable rating, as they are currently manifested by occasional symptoms such as pain, bleeding and itching.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current disabilities to his period of active service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, but the claims for hepatitis and hemorrhoids remain denied.,New evidence submitted since the last denial does not provide a link between current disabilities and active service.