Hemorrhoids decisions — 2005

The veteran's increased ratings for hemorrhoids and facial scar have been granted, with the facial scar receiving a 10 percent rating effective from October 13, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and abdominal scar were denied. The veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism, constipation, fatigue, and headaches are currently rated at 10%, 20%, and 10% respectively.,Service connection for nausea, vomiting, and gastric reflux was severed due to a finding of excessive alcohol consumption as the cause of symptoms.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, PTSD, stomach condition, and right ear hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a transcript from the hearing and requests that a new hearing be scheduled. The veteran's claims for service connection are still pending.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The appeals are all based on reopening of previously denied claims, and the issues involve new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids, finding that his conditions did not warrant such ratings based on the current evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was received on December 17, 1998. The RO held that he met the criteria for a combined disability rating of 70% as of October 1, 1992, which is when his last date of employment was May 31, 1996. Therefore, an effective date earlier than December 17, 1998, cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently suffers from chronic hemorrhoids that were first manifest during service, and thus grants service connection for hemorrhoids. The claim for low back disability is remanded as VA needs to provide a medical examination and nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations and retrieval of pertinent records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that hypertension, epididymitis, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, post-operative meniscectomy of the left knee, hemorrhoids, and sleep apnea did not warrant higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has determined that the RO's decisions of January and February 1946 denying service connection for hemorrhoids are final. The veteran presented new and material evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids, which was granted. Service connection for a left elbow disorder is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking current disability to service. The evaluation for asthma from November 25, 1998, remains denied.

The veteran was in receipt of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since January 26, 1996. The appellant's claim for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) is denied as the criteria have not been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rectal fissure and associated bleeding were incurred during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disorder and did not assign any rating for hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence was insufficient to establish a link between current symptoms and active service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis was denied, and his claims for service connection for hemorrhoids as secondary to in-service hemorrhoids and for an initial rating of benign prostatic hypertrophy were granted with a 20% rating.

The veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 40%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his disability alone does not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's hemorrhoids, finding that his condition is no more than mild to moderate.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, while his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied. The decision is final as the veteran did not appeal the denial of service connection for varicose veins in October 1983.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hallux valgus with separate 10% evaluations. The claims for compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and anemia remain denied.