Hemorrhoids decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to assess his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue regarding the evaluation of the Veteran's hemorrhoids under 38 C.F.R. � 4.7.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the knees, cervical spine, elbows, and hands, along with his hiatal hernia, contributed to his death due to pneumonia and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The Veteran's external hemorrhoids have been rated at 10 percent since March 2008, but the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is only 50 percent, which does not meet the minimum threshold requirements for an award of TDIU benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is REMANDED to consider whether his service-connected disabilities would as likely as not preclude gainful employment.

The Veteran's son, the Appellant, is seeking accrued benefits due to his father's death. The claim was initially denied because the Appellant did not meet the eligibility criteria for accrued benefits as he was over 18 years old at the time of his father's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin condition, hemorrhoids, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between these conditions and his military service. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, hemorrhoids, and hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have left ear hearing impairment for VA compensation purposes upon entrance into service but exhibited left ear hearing impairment at 4000 Hertz while on active duty. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss. Right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in service and sensorineural hearing loss may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoid disorder was incurred during her military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was due to alcoholic cirrhosis and alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left tibia disorder was not aggravated during service and denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's hypertension, hemorrhoids, and hiatal hernia were granted service connection with initial noncompensable ratings. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim was denied.

The Board found no evidence of hemorrhoids or a bilateral hip disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for hemorrhoids. The Veteran now has a chance to have his case reviewed on its merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his eligibility for TDIU and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent otitis externa, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome have been granted with a 30 percent initial rating effective May 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for certification for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The VA granted the TDIU claim effective from November 3, 1997. The appellant argued for an earlier effective date due to her long-term disability and unemployment since service discharge.