Hemorrhoids decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board video-conference hearing, which was rescheduled.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as their impact on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to this point.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The evidence is in equipoise, and therefore, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed hemorrhoids were not incurred in or aggravated by service and are not causally related to a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is denied as there is no competent evidence showing the current condition began during military service or within one year thereafter.,Prior to February 26, 2010, the Veteran's hemorrhoids did not result in persistent bleeding, secondary anemia, or fissures. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.,Effective February 26, 2010, the Veteran's hemorrhoids resulted in anal fissures and bleeding, without anal prolapse or stricture, or more than occasional loss of sphincter control. His claim for an increased rating effective from that date is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hemorrhoids did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to January 2, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his sacro-illiac and thoracic spine dysfunction with degenerative arthritis was withdrawn at the outset of his hearing. The claims for higher ratings for hemorrhoids and hypertension are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of active ulcer disease or hemorrhoids, and the Veteran's headaches and tumor in the head did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his hemorrhoids was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, despite frequent recurrences of hemorrhoids with external or internal symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities have not precluded substantially gainful employment, thus warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of current severity of the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids. An additional VA examination is required during a period of flare-up.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hemorrhoids, and considering any new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current evidence of a bilateral ankle disability, and the Veteran did not have any other disabilities related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claim, including the evaluation of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and hemorrhoids as separate disabilities from his service-connected splenectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7336. The condition has been manifested by persistent bleeding and associated anemia.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability. The appeal for service connection for hemorrhoids was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the issuance of a decision.