Hemorrhoids decisions — 2009

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an initial 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dishonorable discharge from his period of service is a bar to VA benefits. The claims for service connection for coronary artery bypass grafting, hemorrhoids and lower bowel condition, and carpal tunnel syndrome with degenerative joint disease are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy and probable old myocardial infarction, depression with cognitive disorder associated with residuals of cerebrovascular accident, prostate cancer with impotence, dermatitis breast and arms, history of hepatitis, and residuals of cerebrovascular accident with right upper extremity hand weakness. The Veteran requires assistance in performing daily activities due to his disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the need for a new VA examination and an opinion regarding fecal incontinence.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's kidney stones, right eye disability, elbow disability, periodontal disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, impingement syndrome of the left shoulder, CAD, PVD of the right subclavian artery, GERD, IBS, fracture of the left ankle, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 20 percent initial rating for PVD of the right subclavian artery.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are rated at 20% effective from January 13, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's brain disorder requiring surgery, paralyzing disorder, spinal cord disorder, headaches, hemorrhoids, and stomach ulcers were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board determined that these conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied this claim. The claims for bilateral pes planus and hemorrhoids are pending as additional medical evidence is needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hemorrhoids were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and right leg varicose veins are all granted. Bilateral hearing loss is not supported by the evidence of record as defined under VA regulations. Service connection for hemorrhoids and right leg varicose veins is established based on in-service treatment and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been characterized as recurrent with intermittently severe pain, constipation, itching, swelling, burning, and bloody stools. There is no clinical evidence of fissures or anemia related to the hemorrhoids. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Erie County Medical Center and Buffalo General Hospital. The issues of higher initial evaluations for hemorrhoids, service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, and entitlement to TDIU are being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for glaucoma, directional vertigo (secondary to left perforated eardrum), left perforated eardrum, deviated septum, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation for his hemorrhoids was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7336.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be due to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoid disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for dizziness. The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for tonsillitis and status post hemorrhoidectomy are denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, heart murmur, rickets, depression, degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, anosmia, and ageusia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right buttock, rhinitis, and hemorrhoids were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating under VA regulations.