Hemorrhoids decisions — 2008

The veteran has withdrawn all of his claims, including those for service connection and evaluations for various conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD and Barrett's esophagitis is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum available rating. The allergic rhinitis, IBS, and hemorrhoids are each rated as noncompensable.

The VA denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids. The veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions as diagnosed in accordance with DSM-IV.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, or hemorrhoids that can be linked to service.

The Board found that the effective date for the grant of service connection for hemorrhoids is April 2, 2001, as this was the earliest date entitlement arose.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of hemorrhoids and right shoulder disability are denied as the earliest competent medical evidence of increased disability was in December 2002, which is after April 25, 2001.,The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of hemorrhoids and right shoulder disability are denied as the earliest competent medical evidence of increased disability was in December 2002, which is after April 25, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scars secondary to hemorrhoids and a back disability, as well as his claim for an effective date prior to December 5, 1997 for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran was found not to have current scars related to his service-connected conditions or active service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, as his right hand disability and urinary incontinence are manageable with sedentary work.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are not rated higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.,Service connection was granted for a peri-anal abscess, to include hemorrhoids.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including malaria, hypertension, hemorrhoids, stress ulcer, pneumonia, and a prostate condition. The case is being remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hemorrhoids, which he attributes to a frostbite injury during service. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining inpatient treatment records and medical opinions.

The veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, right foot arthritis (metatarsal bones), and throat cancer are denied. Service connection is granted for right foot arthritis (metatarsal bones). The veteran's heart disease claim remains unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating for hemorrhoids, did not grant an earlier effective date for the 10% rating, and found no new and material evidence to reopen his claims of service connection for various conditions. The veteran was also denied special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The VA denied an increased rating for service-connected hemorrhoids, which the veteran claimed were causing him significant pain and preventing him from working.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examination reports and outpatient treatment records. The veteran's initial evaluations for irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids are being reviewed.

The VA Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of sphincterectomy and fissurectomy for hemorrhoids do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms are characterized by occasional involuntary bowel movements requiring the use of a fecal pad once per day.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hemorrhoids are related to his service-connected conditions, specifically his small bowel resection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination for hemorrhoids and issuance of a statement of the case regarding PTSD.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for hemorrhoids and sphincter control impairment was denied. The RO found that prior to June 1, 2004, there was no evidence of large or thrombotic and irreducible hemorrhoids warranting a compensable rating. Since June 1, 2004, the veteran's condition met criteria for a 10 percent disability rating. For sphincter control impairment, the RO found that objective evidence did not meet criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD from August 19, 2002. The initial claim of an initial, compensable rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for skin growth/rash on the chest/torso as due to herbicide exposure is dismissed due to lack of timely appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left hip disorders, as well as his claim for service connection for a bladder disorder secondary to his lumbar spine disorder and hemorrhoids. The appeals were based on direct service connection.