Hemorrhoids decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder or hemorrhoids during service and denied service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not established as having been present since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and compensation for hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for hemorrhoids and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, require additional development. The case is being remanded to provide new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain updated VA and private medical records, as well as a new examination. The issues of increased rating for duodenal ulcer and service connection for hemorrhoids are pending.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran has residuals of childbirth, including cystocele, urinary incontinence and hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and a left elbow disorder that began during her military service. Residuals of childbirth are granted. Tinnitus is granted. A left elbow disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of evidence.

The Veteran's death is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private terminal hospital records and securing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected varicose vein and hemorrhoid disabilities and his cause of death.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and the medication he must take for pain related to those conditions. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected disorders and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain and hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's hemorrhoids are caused or aggravated by her service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids warrant an initial compensable disability evaluation of 10 percent, effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness and vertigo as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 10% since February 19, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for entitlement to specially adapted housing due to loss or use of both lower extremities, blindness in both eyes, or loss of use of both upper extremities as to preclude locomotion.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the criteria for such a rating were not met based on the lack of evidence showing large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue and persistent bleeding.

The Veteran's chronic lower gastrointestinal disorder, including hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, impaired sphincter control, and intestinal fistula with fecal discharge, is considered to be related to his service. The Board finds that the current conditions are attributable to in-service hemorrhoids or post-surgical residuals of multiple hemorrhoidectomies.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his residuals of a nose injury (including headaches), the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,External hemorrhoids are currently noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a compensable disability rating.,For his peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids have been manifested by painful recurring internal and external, nonthrombotic hemorrhoids with recurrent bleeding associated with constipation but no anemia or fissures. The criteria for a 20 percent evaluation prior to May 20, 2009 are met; however, there is no evidence of more than the currently assigned 20 percent rating since that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bowel disorder and tinea pedis, as well as an excessively high initial rating for bronchial asthma. The evidence did not support these claims.