Hemorrhoids decisions — 2012

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability prior to April 28, 2010 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities and prescribed medications on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle fasciculations and routine muscle spasms, as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during his military service or current diagnoses.

The Veteran's postoperative umbilical hernia and hemorrhoids have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective from the date of the rating decision.

The Board has awarded a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hemorrhoids began during service and has been present since then, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, postoperative and service connection for hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within a year of her separation from active duty. The Board found that asthma, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral ankle arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome are secondary to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his TDIU benefit, arguing he was unable to work due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 24, 2010. The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to suggest the Veteran may have been unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and tinea versicolor do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including verifying his claimed stressors and obtaining a VA examination for both PTSD and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 80% for service-connected disabilities and is employed in suitable employment, thus meeting the criteria to deny his request for VA vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the issue of dental disorder. The Board finds that multiple joint and muscle pain, urethritis, prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, night sweats (due to Reiter's syndrome or sarcoidosis), respiratory problems (sarcoidosis), blood in stools/hemorrhoids, and short term memory loss are all part of his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran's right heel spur residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. His sarcoidosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of an earlier effective date for the hearing loss disability. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for her service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the criteria in the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his status post septoplasty and hemorrhoid disabilities, finding no basis to assign a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's residuals of a head injury, manifested as a scar on the left frontal parietal region of the scalp, are service-connected. However, there is no evidence of current hemorrhoids/bleeding that can be linked to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypertensive and atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease, which is not service-connected. The Appellant does not meet the income requirements for non-service-connected death pension benefits.