Hemorrhoids decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted. He is also awarded an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for hypertension, and a 20% evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to January 25, 2008. The Veteran's GERD is rated as 10%. These evaluations are effective from the date of service discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity thrombophlebitis does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran requires assistance from another person primarily due to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of current VA medical records. The Veteran currently has a 10% disability rating for hemorrhoids, but may be entitled to a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need for an updated examination and consideration of his symptoms during their most severe state.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the new evidence received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation training at INSEAD in France was unique and not available in the United States, preventing him from attending due to personal hardship. The criteria for vocational rehabilitation training outside the United States have been met.

The Board has granted a 20% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, effective from May 9, 2008. The condition is manifested by persistent bleeding and an anal fissure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as they are not large or thrombotic and irreducible with excessive redundant tissue or evidencing frequent recurrences.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an anorectal disorder other than hemorrhoids was denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including the provision of an updated VA examination and readjudication.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized as cervical spondylolisthesis or post-traumatic arthritis, is etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without showing good cause, and the claim is therefore adjudicated as denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his diabetes is secondary to in-service TB treatment with INH therapy.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrectomy and GERD are currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7308 for postgastrectomy syndromes.,The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids with anal fistula are currently rated at 30 percent. The RO has determined that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to a missing substantive appeal submitted on June 25, 2009. The Veteran is given an opportunity to submit his substantive appeal or provide additional information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and reopened the claim for service connection of hemorrhoids. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is presumed to have started in service, while his hemorrhoids are presumed to have worsened as a result of service.