Hemorrhoids decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's TMJ disability, which is currently rated at 40 percent, does not warrant a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of frequent hospitalization or marked interference with employment. The postoperative hemorrhoids are also rated at their maximum compensable level (40 percent).

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issues of service connection for right leg varicose veins, stress incontinence, bilateral hearing loss, a low back disability, a right foot heel spur, or hemorrhoids.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids were no longer irreducible, large or thrombotic with frequent recurrences. Therefore, a reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper. The Board also determined that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for his current condition.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of hemorrhoidectomy, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase. The veteran is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7336.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VCAA compliant letter and VA examinations to assess the severity of his hemorrhoids and lumbar spine DDD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed hemorrhoids and fungus infection of the feet are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and Dupuytren's contracture, right ring finger due to a lack of evidence showing current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before it can adjudicate the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for examinations to assess the veteran's hemorrhoids and postoperative septorhinoplasty.

The Board found that the veteran's sinusitis, hemorrhoids, essential hypertension and pulmonary hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Board also denied the claim for an earlier effective date for VA pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension and hemorrhoids, both rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing that he submitted a valid claim prior to June 1, 1998.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, hemorrhoids, and a cardiovascular disorder (hypertension).

The Board found that the veteran's current hemorrhoids are not related to his in-service shell fragment wounds and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further examination is needed for both hemorrhoids and hepatitis claims.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and he has service connection for a right eye peripheral retinal hole, hemorrhoid disability manifested by bleeding during bowel movements, and prostate cancer. The Board finds no basis to grant additional evaluations for the other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and DEA eligibility.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of higher ratings based on the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The veteran's PTSD was not incurred in service, but his hemorrhoids and left hand disorder were.,Hemorrhoids are considered a wartime condition as the veteran served in Vietnam. The left hand disorder is attributed to an injury sustained during active duty.

The veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.