Hemorrhoids decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for calluses of the feet, finding no recurrence of internal or external hemorrhoids and noting that there is no evidence to support a current foot disability related to service. The claim to reopen the tinnitus due to acoustic trauma was addressed in the REMAND portion.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected hemorrhoids, as there was no evidence of persistent bleeding or secondary anemia to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date for his service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the current noncompensable rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected posterior anal fissure, which was previously rated at 10 percent.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The temporary total rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.29, based on hospitalization in excess of 21 days, is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, service connection for conditions of the right shoulder, bilateral knees, bilateral ankles, bilateral hips, neck, bilateral wrists, right elbow and hand, depression, and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition). The sole service-connected disability is noncompensably disabling hemorrhoids. Service connection was not granted for any claimed conditions. The veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthma and allergies, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and malaria have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for asthma and allergies. Service connection was not established for hemorrhoids or tinnitus. Malaria is recognized but with no ascertainable residuals.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and sinusitis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable rating based on current manifestations of mild internal and external hemorrhoids.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoidectomy residuals do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent due to no current internal or external hemorrhoids, and mild impairment of sphincter control with occasional leakage requiring pads.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids, finding that the new evidence submitted was not sufficient to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a disability manifested by blood in semen or an abnormally low white blood count, and the veteran's bilateral pes planus was not shown to be incurred during active duty. Service connection for hemorrhoids and chronic fatigue syndrome could not be established as they are not considered undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hemorrhoids, and left leg disability. The claim for service connection for an asbestos-related disability (COPD) was denied as there is no evidence of exposure to asbestos in service or a relationship between COPD and service. Service connection for aggravation of flat feet was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and tinnitus were denied. The RO granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, but reduced the rating from 30 percent to 10 percent effective June 1, 2004. The RO also granted increased ratings for the veteran's right knee disability.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for tinea pedis effective January 4, 2001. The case was remanded and the RO assigned an effective date of November 26, 1999 for a 30 percent rating for sinusitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostate cancer. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities and determine whether she meets the criteria for increased ratings or service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a comprehensive VA examination and additional development of his claims file. The case will be readjudicated based on the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114 and 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.350 and 3.352.