Hemorrhoids decisions — 2006

The veteran's left testicle varicocele/right testicle spermatocele disability is rated at 10 percent. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoid disability remains pending, and the issue of entitlement to a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, an increased rating for hemorrhoids, and a higher initial rating for PTSD have all been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on the basis of being housebound is remanded due to incomplete examination.

The veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his right knee conditions and a TDIU was denied. His service-connected conditions include arthritis, multiple arthroscopy surgeries, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, prostatitis, hemorrhoids, chondromalacia patella, and traumatic arthritis of the right knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins, arthritis of multiple joints, hiatal hernia, inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for hemorrhoids and a postoperative scar on the right breast, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including left knee disability, hemorrhoids, respiratory disability (manifested by shortness of breath), neck disability, and shoulder disability, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The Board found no evidence to support presumptive service connection based on exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or the Presumption of Exposure Act.

The veteran's overpayment of compensation benefits is denied because the VA has confirmed that he received $11,530.80 in disability severance pay upon discharge from service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hemorrhoids, cervical spine discogenic disease, and lumbar spine discogenic disease were denied as the conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing or for a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for service-connected residuals of post-operative hemorrhoidectomy and fistula in ano, with anal stenosis, effective June 2003. The veteran's lung cancer due to asbestos exposure is rated noncompensable.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected hemorrhoids, which is the highest available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found no evidence of hemorrhoids, bilateral leg disability, or eye disability in service and did not relate these conditions to service. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's hemorrhoids, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate those required for such a rating. The claim for hepatitis C service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected internal hemorrhoids and duodenal ulcer, mucosas colitis. The issues regarding bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were also addressed but not decided as they are related to new evidence or lack of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hemorrhoids, finding that the veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection was denied for disability manifested by Candida albicans due to lack of evidence showing its onset in or aggravation by service.

The veteran's service-connected heart disability does not cause any functional limitations, and thus he is not shown to have an employment handicap. As a result, the need for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38 has not been demonstrated.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for hemorrhoids and finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.