Hemorrhoids decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the competent clinical evidence of record is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active service. For the other issues, including an increased evaluation for lumbar disc disease with history of scoliosis and a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, the decision is mixed due to some issues being granted while others are denied. The effective date issue regarding lumbar disc disease remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral plantar hyperkeratosis with pes cavus and hammertoes is granted. The other issues of service connection are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them at his hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on confirmed in-service stressors. Service connection for residuals of injury to the right hand and hemorrhoids were also granted, but with initial evaluations less than requested.

The Board found no current hemorrhoid condition and denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids have been withdrawn. The appeal for an initial evaluation higher than 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his hemorrhoids and gout.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not due to an undiagnosed illness and were not otherwise incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran asserts that he currently suffers from a hemorrhoid disorder related to service. The RO has ordered a VA examination and requested additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected glaucoma was granted a rating of 60 percent effective January 9, 2009. Prior to that date, the disability had been rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder rotator cuff strain, joint disorder, back disorder, and hemorrhoids were denied. The claim for hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease of the left great toe was granted but not at a compensable rating prior to January 5, 2009.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial, compensable rating for external hemorrhoids has been granted by the RO. However, due to the Veteran's illness preventing him from attending his scheduled hearing, the case is being remanded back to the RO for scheduling a new hearing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, internal hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the lower extremities, eczema, left foot cold weather injury residuals, right foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot calcaneal fracture. The reasons provided are that there is no current evidence linking these conditions to service or any other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including knee and back conditions, hemorrhoids, and allergic rhinitis. The case is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected hemorrhoids and asthma have been granted, effective from September 9, 2008. The TDIU request is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's claim seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be reconsidered due to new evidence.

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

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the right leg, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as he withdrew these claims prior to the decision. The initial disability rating for a left knee disorder remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus, as the current diagnosis does not support a finding that it is related to military service. For erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, dyshydrosis, and hemorrhoids, the preponderance of the evidence did not support the assignment of compensable ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including spondylolysis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.