Hemorrhoids decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative discogenic disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 with retrolisthesis of L4-5 is denied as the criteria for a higher evaluation have not been met. The other issues are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is being remanded due to incomplete development. The Board requests an opinion on whether the Veteran's hemorrhoids had their onset in service, were related to disease or injury incurred in service, or were due to or aggravated by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to return the claims file to the Veteran's representative for preparation of a more comprehensive VA Form 646. The Veteran and his representative have been provided an opportunity to review the claims file and prepare their arguments.

The Veteran is granted service connection for hemorrhoids and tinnitus, with a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's headaches are rated as 30 percent disabling effective September 16, 2011. The epidermal cyst has been assigned a zero percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected spinal disability does not result in any of the claimed conditions, and thus these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a disability evaluation of 10 percent for fissure in ano as of January 31, 2006 and a disability evaluation of 30 percent for fissure in ano as of April 18, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment given his service-connected conditions. The current examinations are inadequate as they do not address whether the Veteran's schizophrenia, hemorrhoids, and residuals of infectious hepatitis render him unemployable.

The Veteran's initial rating for hemorrhoids was granted at 0 percent effective October 16, 2006. Throughout the appeal period, he experienced mild to moderate symptoms of anal itching and occasional pain but no large or thrombotic hemorrhoids that were irreducible with excessive redundant tissue. The Board found his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected internal hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as they are not large or thrombotic, and there is no evidence of frequent occurrences, fissures, anemia, or other disabling symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for groin or scrotal pain, left carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic lumbar strain, spastic colon, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hemorrhoids have been denied. The claim for major depressive disorder was granted with a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's anal stricture with impairment of sphincter control is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and hemorrhoids, but did not assign a compensable rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple joint arthritis and denied the claim for a compensable initial rating for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss (rated at 50%), hemorrhoids (30%), tinnitus (10%), and scars on his scalp and left eyelid (noncompensable), combine to a total rating of 70%. However, the most probative medical evidence does not indicate these conditions are so severe as to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed, except for schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, hypertension (HYT), and hemorrhoids was denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The AMC must also confirm if there are any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not warrant a rating higher than 60 percent. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling new examinations, and considering all evidence since the last supplemental statement of the case.