Hemorrhoids decisions — 2006

The veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did service-connected disability cause or contribute to his death. The criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35 have also not been met.

The veteran's hemorrhoids have not caused persistent bleeding, anemia or fissures; they have caused chronic constipation and some pain and discomfort. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids have not been met.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death from sepsis due to intestinal obstruction. The VA examiner concluded that the service-connected anxiety disorder was not a contributing factor to the cause of death.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected knee replacements and hemorrhoids, including requests for increased ratings and effective dates. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examination reports.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and a stomach disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date of the 10 percent rating for hiatal hernia was set at August 31, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied service connection for right knee and hemorrhoids disorders.

The veteran's claims for service connection on four issues are being remanded due to incomplete examinations and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a hearing and readjudicating the claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is primarily unable to work due to a low back disability from an intercurrent injury and severe heart disease.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of hemorrhoids, service connection for PTSD, low back disorder, left wrist disorder, defective hearing, athlete's foot, urinary problems, and need for Aid and Attendance were all denied. The claim to reopen service connection for a dental condition was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing at the Waco, Texas Regional Office.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of service dates and obtaining medical records. The RO will also provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids, service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and service connection for tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea versicolor.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied, and eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining medical records from his periods of active duty training and seeking VA examinations to determine the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Mercy Medical Center on February 4, 2004 was denied as there was no prior authorization and his condition was not clinically emergent to a point that seeking treatment at the VAMC would have been feasible.

The veteran's death was caused by left-sided pneumonia and sepsis, but the service connection for cause of death is denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected condition that contributed to his death.