Hemorrhoids decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids was granted, and the effective date of this award is set at November 6, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service if necessary.

The Board previously denied service connection for hemorrhoids in April 2007 due to lack of evidence showing a link between the condition and military service. The Veteran has not provided new and material evidence since that decision.

The Veteran's hemorrhoid condition had its onset in-service and is related to his military service. The Board grants service connection for the condition.

The Board has determined that the combined rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is correct and properly computed.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for hypertension and hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or after his military service. The claims for GERD and right knee DJD are pending, with further examination needed to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or higher ratings for most conditions, with some exceptions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The claims of service connection for bronchitis, hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, ulcers, and hemorrhoids were also denied. Service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to determine if his current hernia disability may be related to his active duty military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder including secondary to hemorrhoids will be further evaluated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's original claim for service connection was received on September 16, 2002, before his discharge from service. Therefore, an effective date of October 1, 2002, is granted for the grant of service connection for multiple disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for functional bowel syndrome with intermittent diarrhea prior to a decision being made by the Board. The remaining issues are addressed below.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and TMJ Syndrome were granted. The Board found that the Veteran had these conditions during his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids was denied as his current symptomatology does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for gouty arthritis of bilateral ankles was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 18, 2009, and for a 10 percent rating from that date forward.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids was also denied by the Board. They determined that his hemorrhoid pathology did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his Social Security Administration records. The RO will also obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent hemorrhoids, to include residual tagging, is granted. The Board finds that the current tags are consistent with a history of hemorrhoids in service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for loss of sexual sensation including erectile dysfunction, increased ratings for hemorrhoids, right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, and varicose veins, right leg due to unresolved issues in appellate status.