Hemorrhoids decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date for his service-connected hemorrhoids with rectum and anus impairment of sphincter control is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Babayan and other VA providers.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including providing proper VCAA notice and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right ankle disability and hemorrhoids are not service-connected as they are attributed to post-service injuries, and there is no evidence of in-service aggravation or connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding no clear and unmistakable error in VA rating decisions or entitlement to a total disability rating continuously from discharge until death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a residual scar from a skin graft of the right malleolus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating for either condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 26, 2002 for the grant of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) cannot be granted as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU at any time before June 26, 2002.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hiatus hernia with reflux and vascular calcification of abdomen, urethritis, squamous papilloma (claimed as nose cancer), headaches, hemorrhoids, ankle and leg weakness, neck pain, hypertension, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and multiple cancers. However, the claims are not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident thereof.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids and remanded it for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for increased ratings for hypothyroidism, esophagitis, and hemorrhoids. The veteran is not currently diagnosed as having PTSD. His other conditions are rated based on their current severity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, chronic bronchitis/asthma, low back disorder, bilateral shin splints, and a bilateral ankle disability. The RO established service connection for hemorrhoids but assigned a noncompensable rating.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of her service-connected right foot cyst excision scar, postoperative residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy, and right knee disorders were denied as she did not file timely substantive appeals.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, left hip disability, left thumb disability, bilateral knee disability, multiple joint arthritis, residuals of multiple finger fractures, shingles, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and prostate disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension, duodenal ulcer, and hemorrhoids. The veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection of glaucoma of the right eye.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, liver disorder, and hemorrhoids as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability, sarcoidosis, and hemorrhoids have been denied.,For the cervical spine, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or chronic orthopedic and neurologic manifestations that would justify such a higher evaluation.,For sarcoidosis, a compensable rating is not warranted due to lack of persistent symptoms requiring maintenance or intermittent corticosteroids.,For hemorrhoids, the veteran's disability picture more closely resembles large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with frequent recurrences.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for hemorrhoids, neck disorder, shoulder and arm disorder, and stomach disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a trauma to tooth #9 for treatment purposes and denied an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's increased evaluation claims for hiatal hernia with GERD and hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's anemia is not due to disease or injury incurred in active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.