Hemorrhoids decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to minimal symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, found to have been incurred during active duty. The veteran's hypertension and hemorrhoids are also considered, with the hypertension receiving a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of hemorrhoidectomy are tender and painful scarring, warranting a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral hand and finger pain, finding that it is likely due to disease or injury incurred in active service. The claims for hemorrhoids and left knee conditions are not addressed as they were not part of the appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating his claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for shin splints and an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for internal hemorrhoids. The veteran currently experiences intermittent shin splint irritation and mild, but persistent, rectal bleeding.

The veteran's combined schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities is 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as it falls short of the minimum requirement of 70%.

The Board has decided the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial rating for hemorrhoids. The veteran does not have current hearing loss, and her hemorrhoids are currently rated as 0 percent disabling based on their mild to moderate nature. The remaining issues must be remanded due to procedural errors.

The veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus and hemorrhoids have been granted, with the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent provided for tinnitus. The RO has not found any exceptional or unusual disability picture that would render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, depression, started in service and has continued as a chronic problem since service. The Board granted service connection for depression.

The Board denied both the initial rating claim for hemorrhoids and the service connection claim for a sebaceous cyst of the neck, finding no evidence to support either claim.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, rib fracture residuals, meningitis, and a back disorder due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the relationship between his service-connected conditions and any claimed disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to arthritis contributing to an abdominal aneurysm rupture. The issue of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of hemorrhoids with keloid scarring of the anal opening and recurrent prolapse of the rectum, finding that these conditions do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including low back pain with degenerative arthritis, arthritis of the right knee, medial collateral ligament strain of the left knee, residuals of resection of the left clavicle, residuals of a left lung resection with history of sarcoidosis, duodenal ulcer, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted a compensable evaluation of 10% for the veteran's residuals of hemorrhoidectomy, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected irritable colon syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease and hemorrhoids, finding that the current ratings were appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.