Hemorrhoids decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for schizophrenia, hemorrhoids, and a disability of the right wrist. The issues of service connection for knees, right foot, and head injury were also addressed but are pending in the remand portion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if all service-connected disabilities, including significant hearing loss, preclude the veteran from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit a notice of disagreement within one year of notification of an October 1991 RO rating decision denying service connection for various conditions. The evidence received since then was not new and material, thus the claims were not reopened.

The Board denied service connection for neck disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hemorrhoids. Service connection was granted for a disorder of the left hand finger due to frostbite.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, hearing loss, rectal disorder (to include hemorrhoids), and deviated nasal septum have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board finds that the veteran does not meet the minimum statutory requirement for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to new and material evidence. The veteran's service-connected heart disease, hypertension, and other conditions are found to have contributed substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disability (ulcers), hemorrhoids, and headaches. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen a claim of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied increased ratings for chorioretinitis of the right eye, multiple internal hemorrhoids, and residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left shoulder.

The Board has granted an initial increased evaluation of 60 percent for post-ulcerative deformity of the duodenal bulb with duodenitis, effective from November 4, 1993. The veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches, left eye conjunctivitis, and hemorrhoids have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for external hemorrhoids and entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, finding that his current condition does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to asbestos exposure, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of shrapnel wounds to the face. The VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding the etiology of any of the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of new evidence and clarification from the examiner regarding whether he reviewed the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling an examination, adjudicating increased disability ratings claims, and readjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the October 2001 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's application to reopen his service connection claims for hemorrhoids, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, a condition manifested by a swollen liver, and a condition manifested by swelling of the legs.

The veteran's psycho-physiological gastrointestinal reaction with epigastric distress is currently rated at 50 percent, and his hemorrhoids are currently rated at 10 percent. The decision on the increased rating for gastrointestinal reaction was granted, while the denial of an increased rating for hemorrhoids remains in effect.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hemorrhoids and a retroactive effective date for his scar, residuals of removal of abscess.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine, service connection for depressive disorder and hemorrhoids, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The claim for gastrointestinal disorder was not addressed as it related to a different issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, a heart condition (intermittent sinus tachycardia), a left arm disorder, hemorrhoids, shin splints of both legs, and bronchial asthma. The decision also noted that no cardiovascular disease was found during service or subsequent examination.