Hemorrhoids decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, GERD with Barrett's esophagus, and hemorrhoids. The appeals are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disorder, hemorrhoids/bleeding rupture, kidney disease/kidney cysts, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hemorrhoid disorder is more likely than not incurred or aggravated during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy, finding that the evidence did not support impairment of sphincter control, stricture of rectum and anus, or prolapse of the rectum.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including the need to obtain service personnel and treatment records from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and VA medical center records. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his hypertension, hemorrhoids, coronary artery disease, and right lower extremity arteriosclerosis.

The Veteran's combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for TDIU. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board finds that there is no current evidence of hemorrhoids or an esophageal disability, and the Veteran's in-service treatment for these conditions has resolved. As such, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 1, 2007 for a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids have been manifested by large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids that have recurred frequently since he first was diagnosed as having them following an in-service colonoscopy in March 2007.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux are not productive of considerable impairment of health, while his external hemorrhoids more nearly approximate the criteria for a 10 percent rating. The initial ratings assigned have been determined to be appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and additional evidence collection. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and headaches are on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran meets the basic eligibility requirements for assistance in acquiring a special home adaptation grant, but does not meet the criteria for specially adaptive housing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bowel disability, finding that there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service and insufficient medical nexus to establish a link between current conditions and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his time in active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule, as there is no evidence of large or thrombotic external or internal hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue to suggest frequent recurrences. The current symptoms are mild and have been adequately addressed by treatment.