Hemorrhoids decisions — 2005

The Board has ordered a remand due to insufficient development, specifically the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's claimed hemorrhoids and fungus of the feet. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date claim was also denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including determining if VA authorized the medical treatment provided at Mercy Medical Center on February 4, 2004, and whether the veteran is entitled to reimbursement or payment by VA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current rectal disability, to include hemorrhoids, is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that a TDIU was warranted within one year prior to January 22, 2001.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's low back disorder and hemorrhoids.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors. Service connection for hemorrhoids is granted, but the rating remains at noncompensable.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, psychiatric disorder (depression), and hemorrhoids. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for PTSD, body strain including the chest, back, and abdomen, and reopening of claims for bronchitis and a left knee disability. The RO also denied the claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids.

The VA reduced the veteran's 20 percent evaluation for hemorrhoids to a 10 percent rating effective December 1, 2002. The reduction was based on evidence showing that the veteran no longer had anal fissures or significant rectal bleeding.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, hemorrhoids, headaches, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression with psychotic features and schizophrenia. The Board also found that the veteran had a lumbar spine strain and sprain, right shoulder injury, cervical spine condition, anal fissures, and hemorrhoids that are presumed to have been incurred in service.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are evaluated at a 10 percent rating due to chronic recurrent symptoms, including bleeding and tenderness. The next higher 20 percent evaluation is not warranted as there is no evidence of secondary anemia or anal fissures.

The Board denied increased evaluations for hemorrhoids and duodenal ulcer, finding that the veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation or an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for peptic ulcer disease, a compensable rating for perianal abscess, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for hemorrhoids, finding that there was no factual basis to support either claim.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for increased evaluations of hypertension and hemorrhoids are no longer before the Board.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not warrant a compensable rating as they have been manifested by mild to moderate external and internal hemorrhoids without objective evidence of large, thrombotic or irreducible hemorrhoids.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate efforts in obtaining his National Guard medical records, as well as additional treatment records for hearing loss and hemorrhoids. The veteran will be scheduled for examinations and further development of his claims is needed.