Hemorrhoids decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability evaluations for PTSD and hemorrhoids has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for either condition.

The Veteran's residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy are manifested by extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements, warranting a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as stress), and his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The initial rating claim for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Veteran's overall disability rating is 80 percent, meeting the schedular standards for consideration of a TDIU. However, he does not meet the requirement of being unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities as he has been employed in managerial positions since at least November 1998 and can still perform some work duties despite his disabilities.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at 20% since March 5, 2008 due to the presence of an anal fissure. His hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids, dengue fever, or low back disorder that is due to any incident or event in active military service.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids, headaches, and arthritis of the right first metacarpal are rated as noncompensably disabling. The Veteran is granted initial compensable ratings for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for hemorrhoids, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus, and service connection for right thigh sarcoma residuals were denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for a left ankle disorder was granted from October 4, 2005 through November 15, 2010. Since then, he has been granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent effective from November 16, 2010. The Veteran also received an initial compensable evaluation for his hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids prior to October 7, 2004 and a higher than 10 percent rating for impairment of sphincter control resulting from hemorrhoidectomy after October 7, 2004 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, effective July 18, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran died from respiratory depression due to acute morphine intoxication. The appellant claims that the death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety with depression and PTSD, which may have led him to abuse painkillers like morphine. The Board finds a need for additional development to determine if the cause of death is related to service connection.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for hemorrhoids from July 30, 2007 to August 9, 2007 is denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. From October 1, 2007 forward, he does not have symptoms warranting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal involves disagreement with the initial rating assigned following the grant of service connection for residuals of status post hemorrhoidectomy, fistulectomy, and sphincterotomy. The claim is being remanded to the RO for further development including obtaining VA medical records, arranging for a VA examination, and considering whether an extra-schedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hemorrhoids and to determine if hepatitis C is related to service. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids and entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable. The evidence does not show large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue or frequent recurrences.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied, while his radiculopathy was granted. The right shoulder disorder claim has been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a videoconference hearing. Issues of increased rating for peptic ulcer disease, service connection for lumbar spine disability and hemorrhoids are still pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including lumbar spinal stenosis, Adie's tonic syndrome (right eye), nasal deformity, GERD, keratosis, right trapezius muscle spasms (claimed as right shoulder pain), cervical strain, obstructive sleep apnea, thrombosed hemorrhoids, bladder disorder, prostate disorder, basal cell carcinoma, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.