Hemorrhoids decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for internal hemorrhoids has been withdrawn. The issues of increased PTSD rating and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or hemorrhoids, and the Board finds that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for rectal prolapse and granted a separate initial evaluation of 20% for hemorrhoids. The current status of the conditions is persistent moderate rectal prolapse with mild leakage, and multiple recurrent thrombosed hemorrhoids with bleeding, perianal irritation, very deep furrows, and fissures.

The Veteran's right hip spasm and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection, with the right hip spasm being granted effective from when it was incurred during her military service. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial evaluation for her hemorrhoids, which has been granted since September 1, 2005.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and left ear hearing loss, but granted a compensable rating of 10% for his service-connected left varicocele.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids prior to February 20, 2010 was denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids beginning February 20, 2010 was also denied.,The appeal of the effective date for service connection for rectal sphincter laxity is addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a pulmonary disorder (other than asthma), arthritis of the left ankle, and hypopigmented macules. Service connection was denied for hemorrhoids, post-traumatic syndrome/headaches, and mechanical back syndrome.,Service connection was granted for a pulmonary disorder (other than asthma) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these disorders were incurred or aggravated by active duty or active duty for training.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and hemorrhoids due to continuity of symptomatology since the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to errors in the March 2009 decision regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected asthma, effective from the date of this decision. The criteria for a higher 100 percent evaluation have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current rectum and anus disability, including hemorrhoids, prolapse of rectum, and impairment of sphincter control, is related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, herpes type II, headaches, swelling in the joints, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a current disability or a link to military service.

The Veteran's low back and hemorrhoids disabilities were found to not warrant higher ratings, while his hearing loss disability was also found not to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, gastroenteritis with GERD, hemorrhoids, and left knee disability were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss or a rating in excess of 20 percent for his cervical spine disability. He also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee, tendonitis of the right shoulder and wrist, hemorrhoids, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from March 1, 2008 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were found to be more symptomatic than represented by a 'mild' or 'moderate' classification, warranting a 10% rating until March 2, 2006. After that date, the criteria for a compensable rating were not met.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being presented, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates are being considered. The Board has remanded the service connection issues to the RO, but is granting a 40 percent rating for his low back disability since March 31, 2010, and assigning separate ratings for fecal leakage as a complication of hemorrhoids.