Hemorrhoids decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from performing functions of self-care and may render him unable to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The examination is needed to determine if he requires assistance in bathing, tending to hygiene needs, and whether he is substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings granted for any of his disabilities.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver, was not related to his military service and did not find any evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and requesting an addendum from the September 2008 examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected esophagitis with gastroesophageal reflux disease is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Veteran's other conditions have not been found to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids or a back disability that is related to service. The Board finds the claim for service connection denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of all claims except for a higher rating for PTSD, TDIU, and service connection for diverticulosis and shingles.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis due to new evidence. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated at 10 percent, but this rating is denied as there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or fissures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's disabilities, including anemia, hemorrhoids, hypertension, mild cataracts, pancolitis, positive testing for tuberculosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anxiety, and alcohol abuse, do not permanently preclude him from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and work experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the failure to notify him of an October 2005 examination, and no examination was scheduled. The case will be readjudicated after any additional development is completed.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disability. The Board denied both the cause of death and DIC claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability and headaches, as well as the rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a service-connected hemorrhoid disability is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date than May 18, 2009, for the same condition remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and hemorrhoids were not related to service, as there was no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not have continuing symptoms post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing hemorrhoids were aggravated during service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30% due to frequent episodes requiring antibiotic treatment, while his hemorrhoids remain noncompensably disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cataracts of both eyes, bowel problems (hemorrhoids and diverticulosis), urination problems, thickening of the walls of the left lung, cysts on the face and neck, residuals of a tumor removal on the back, a tumor on the left lung, bladder cancer, and headaches. The claims were denied as not being related to service or service-connected conditions.