Hemorrhoids decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids are causally related to his service, specifically as a result of his duties as a helicopter pilot. The GERD is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected hemorrhoids with ulcerative proctitis, to include the propriety of separate compensable ratings, has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids are manifested by severe anal stenosis and fecal incontinence, warranting a rating of 60 percent under Diagnostic Code 7332.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatal intracerebral hemorrhage was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating and for DEA benefits. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability during the relevant period.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and chloracne.

The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence that the condition is related to his period of service. The Veteran's current hemorrhoids were also not service-connected, with a pending issue regarding an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a new rating determination. His PFB claim remains in appeal as he continues to disagree with the current disability rating.,The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). He contends that his condition warrants a higher disability rating.

The reduction of the Veteran's hemorrhoids from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective October 1, 2008, was proper as his condition has improved and no longer meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is sufficient for a grant of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The hemorrhoids claim will be remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and chronic folliculitis of the scalp were denied as there was no evidence of persistent bleeding, secondary anemia, or fissures for hemorrhoids, nor deep acne affecting less than 40 percent of the face or neck for folliculitis.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities due to the passage of time and changes in symptoms since his last examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence establishing a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with right radiculopathy, chondromalacia of the right knee, recurrent peptic ulcer disease, incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve associated with the lumbar spine disability, and hemorrhoids. The case is remanded for an appropriate VA examination to determine the effects of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to maintain and retain employment, as well as for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, residuals of a right ankle sprain, and residuals of a head injury. The claim for service connection for depression was also reopened. However, the Board did not reach a decision on whether these conditions are related to service due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for certification for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to his inability to use his lower extremities, despite having significant disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back strain and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.