Hemorrhoids decisions — 2005

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the VA examination, and the case is returned for further review.

The veteran's reactive airway disease is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted service connection for a small patent foramen ovale. Other claims of service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication of his claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic acquired gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between current symptoms and military service.

The veteran's conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, mild restrictive lung disease, erectile dysfunction, left shoulder dislocation, sinusitis, left ankle instability, and right ankle instability, are all found to be service-connected. The initial disability ratings for subacromial impingement of the left shoulder, urticaria, and sinusitis have been granted at noncompensable levels.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was granted with an effective date of April 4, 1946, the day following his separation from active duty.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they do not show persistent bleeding or secondary anemia/fissures. The current evaluation of 10% is therefore maintained.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected hemorrhoids, effective from February 27, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD disability picture does not more nearly approximate the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent under the criteria of Diagnostic Code 9411. The RO denied entitlement to higher evaluations for PTSD and hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's service connection and rating claims, including consideration of recent changes in VA regulations.

The Board determined that the veteran's vocational limitations due to his service-connected schizophrenia, combined with multiple medical disorders and lack of formal education since 1975, make it infeasible for him to become gainfully employed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain, dislocated gluteus maximus tendon over the right trochanter, and hemorrhoids. The claim of service connection for a kidney disorder as secondary to NSAIDS prescribed for service-connected disability was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for pharyngitis and rhinopharyngitis are being remanded. The claim for a compensable initial rating for hemorrhoids is denied.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety with depression is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his severe disability from this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for prolonged bowel movements and hemorrhoids. The right shoulder disorder claim is reopened, but further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various conditions, including his lumbar spine and shoulder disabilities, have not been met under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a left distal fibula fracture, and the issues regarding headaches, hemorrhoids, scar on the abdomen, right ulna fracture, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids and a postoperative scar on the right breast are not yet ready for appellate review.