Hemorrhoids decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and to reopen a claim of service connection for migraine headaches, as new and material evidence was not found.

The veteran's appeal was partially granted, with separate 10 percent evaluations for bilateral shin splints and hallux valgus, but denied for a right breast cyst and hemorrhoids. The claims for higher initial evaluations for PTSD, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, trochanteric bursitis of both hips, and ankle strains were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, depression, a right eye disability, and migraine headaches. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for urethral stricture, cervical strain with degenerative joint disease, hemorrhoids, and status post right elbow surgery were also denied.

The veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids and service connection for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy were denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as there was no medical evidence or competent opinion linking a cardiovascular disease to any incident of service and no evidence that diabetes played a causative role in his death.

The veteran's service connected disabilities, alone, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and right wrist ganglion cyst excision disabilities.

The veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint pain, a back disorder, and other claimed conditions as the evidence did not establish that any of these disabilities were related to the veteran's military service.

The Board concluded that the July 1987 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous in its failure to grant a compensable rating for hemorrhoids and in not considering Crohn's disease/colitis, as no formal or informal claim for service connection was ever filed concerning that disability at the time of the July 1987 decision.

The veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 20%, and the right shoulder disorder is not service-connected. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for hemorrhoids and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied as there was no evidence of additional disability resulting from the May 1992 surgery.

The Board denied service connection for ventral hernia, bilateral foot disorder, thyroid disease, eye disorder (manifested by loss of visual acuity), residuals of an allergic reaction to penicillin, and hemorrhoids. However, the Board granted service connection for residuals of a right index finger injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings, and special monthly compensation.

The veteran withdrew his appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for hemorrhoids.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation for the need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fecal incontinence, post anal fissure repair, with recurrent hemorrhoids; a low back disorder (claimed as low back pain); and leg problems secondary to the claimed low back disorder due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a nexus between the claimed conditions and active military service.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied, while the claim for increase for onychomycosis of the feet is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids, as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome.

The veteran's hemorrhoids were incurred in service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.