Hemorrhoids decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis and residuals of hemorrhoidectomy, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of hemorrhoidectomy. The Board also found that ulcerative colitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claim of service connection for a lower back condition. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected hemorrhoids was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, hypertension, and left knee disorder as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to his service, including exposure to asbestos or ionizing radiation. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of mechanical low back pain and hemorrhoids have been denied by operation of law due to his failure without good cause to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities played a material causal role in his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an extension of his period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services as he has been rehabilitated to the point of employability and no additional training or benefits are required.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Panic Disorder, Hypertension with Headaches, Hemorrhoids, and a skin condition, do not render him unemployable considering his educational and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity and current manifestations of the veteran's hemorrhoids.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease, status post hemilaminectomy and discectomy, L5-S1, limitation of motion for the left shoulder, and hemorrhoids, do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) rating for hemorrhoids was denied, while service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted.

The veteran's appeal for service connection claims for chronic pulmonary disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, as well as an increased rating claim for scar status post laceration of the right hand, were withdrawn. The remaining issues resulted in no change to the ratings assigned.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining recent VA medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for stress incontinence, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and hemorrhoids were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and left knee disorder were denied an initial compensable rating.

The veteran's low back disorder and hemorrhoids were denied service connection, and an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids based on the presence of large external hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue.

The veteran's hemorrhoid disability was denied an increased rating as the evidence did not support persistent bleeding with secondary anemia or fissures, which would warrant a higher rating.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the service connection claims and increased evaluation claims.