Hemorrhoids decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a new VA examination to assess his lumbar spine disability and internal hemorrhoids. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's IBS, hemorrhoids/polyps, and right ankle disability are related to his active service. The bilateral pes planus was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, right foot disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritis of the left hand and left index finger, back disorder, hemorrhoids, and vertigo as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain complete service treatment records, conduct VA examinations, and obtain any recent VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or related to any service-connected condition, including his sinusitis and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right lumbar radioculopathy, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental health issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the VA office in San Juan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and a gastrointestinal disability, to include GERD. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the severity of his service-connected hemorrhoids and whether he is unemployable due to this condition.

The Veteran's hemorrhoid/anal fissure disability results in occasional involuntary bowl movements necessitating the wearing of pads, and is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on the criteria for anal fissures.

The Veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of the combined effect of all service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hemorrhoid disorder was found to have initial manifestations during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues on appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hemorrhoids and related scarring likely had its onset in service and persisted since separation, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and hemorrhoids do not render him unemployable, as his disorders are rated at the minimum levels for each condition. The Board finds that referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from January 23, 2007 to September 30, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no evidence of a current respiratory disorder or service connection for any psychiatric disability, chronic dermatitis, or peptic ulcer disease. The initial rating claim for internal hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids have been manifested by mild to moderate residuals and do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating. A 'staged' rating of 20 percent for the period prior to May 27, 2009, for service-connected hemorrhoids is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings assigned are appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids, which is related to his service-connected gastroenteritis, has been remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether the gastroenteritis aggravated the hemorrhoids.