Hemorrhoids decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment at any time during the appeal period.

The case is remanded for further development of the evidence related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have not been shown to be large, thrombotic, or irreducible, nor have they been shown to be productive of excessive redundant tissue, frequent recurrences, secondary anemia, or fissures. Therefore, the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's back disorder and hemorrhoids claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were remanded to address the November 2004 Order of the Court, which required VA to inform the claimant of the information and evidence necessary to substantiate his claims.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left wrist sprain, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of competent evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, rated as 50 percent disabling when combined, do not preclude following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were found not to be productive of persistent bleeding with secondary anemia or fissures, and therefore a rating in excess of 10 percent was denied.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were not found to be large, thrombotic, or irreducible with excessive redundant tissue between December 22, 2003 and April 27, 2008. Since April 28, 2008, the Veteran's hemorrhoids have not shown persistent bleeding, secondary anemia, or fissures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and rectal bleeding, a bilateral hip condition, a right shoulder condition, and a bilateral wrist condition as there was no evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus to service.

The veteran's claim for a rating higher than 60 percent for impaired sphincter control and the issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound are remanded for additional development.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to address whether any of the claimed conditions are related to service or have undergone an increase in severity during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hepatitis C, and depression were denied as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for arthritis was also denied due to the lack of evidence linking it to his military service. For bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids, non-compensable ratings were assigned.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, limitation of motion of the lumbar spine with pain, hemorrhoids, and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, and increased ratings for the low back disorder, right knee disorder, right wrist disorder, left shoulder disorder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied.

The veteran's onychomycosis and anal fissure with a history of hemorrhoids were not found to be severe enough to warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's low back disorder was granted service connection, while a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids was denied.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for left leg thrombophlebitis and varicosities, right leg varicose veins, and hemorrhoids were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for low back strain, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, hemorrhoids, and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.