Hemorrhoids decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information about her social security disability denial and her employment status related to her service-connected conditions.

The veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as tearfulness, panic attacks, diminished concentration, and isolation. The Board has granted a 50% disability rating for PTSD.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, but he had a pending claim for increased compensation for his service-connected hemorrhoids. The Board finds that the veteran would have been entitled to compensation or pension prior to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing proper notice and considering extraschedular ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoidectomy residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service medical records and seeking opinions from VA examiners regarding the nature and etiology of various conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, eye injury residuals, head injury residuals, neck disorder (spondylosis of cervical spine), and right elbow and right hand disorder (degenerative joint disease). The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including low back strain, bursitis of the left hip, right Achilles tendonitis, hemorrhoids, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, left shoulder tendonitis, and left clavicle disorder. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not combine to meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and acne do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Joseph's Medical Center from May 2, 2004, through May 4, 2004 is denied as there was no indication of a medical emergency that would have necessitated immediate treatment.

The RO denied the veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a prostate condition, hemorrhoids, and right shoulder injury due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hemorrhoids have not met the criteria for a compensable initial evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran does not have a gastrointestinal disability, sleep disability, respiratory disability, fatigue-related condition, or an anxiety disorder that is related to his service. His PTSD has been rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's hemorrhoids did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial compensable rating, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the RO in Nashville, Tennessee.

The veteran's appeal on the issue of service connection for hemorrhoids has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine if his pes planus was aggravated during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a recurrent ganglion cyst of the right wrist and hemorrhoids, were denied. The Board found that the veteran had pre-existing conditions prior to his active duty service and did not show any aggravation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year post-service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, and did not establish service connection for prostate disability, lumbar disc disease with sciatic radiculopathy, colon disability, or bladder disability as secondary to service-connected hemorrhoids.