Hemorrhoids decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) will be addressed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the current assessments do not adequately address the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his TDIU claim, including consideration of all service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations for his claimed heart disability, hemorrhoids, and left foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including urinary incontinence, spinal stenosis, anxiety disorder, and others, have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's internal hemorrhoids do not warrant a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7336, as there is no evidence of large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue. The duodenal ulcer and generalized anxiety disorder issues are also addressed but not specified in terms of their specific ratings.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for rectal squamous cell carcinoma as secondary to service-connected hemorrhoids, and increased evaluations for hemorrhoids and lichen sclerosis and atrophicus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was granted service connection, and he is also granted increased ratings for his right wrist disorder. Other claims were either new and material or granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, gastrointestinal disease, lung disease, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, hemorrhoids, and tinea versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis have been granted. The effective dates are as follows: PTSD from February 2, 2001; hemorrhoids from August 29, 2000; and tinea versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis from December 26, 2006.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain his complete service treatment records, including those from the Army Reserve Personnel Center and the Alabama Adjutant General Office.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and a neurologic disability of the left lower extremity, finding that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or direct causation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and right wrist perilunate dislocation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids. The Veteran experienced symptoms of hemorrhoids during active service, and currently has mild residuals of hemorrhoids. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been denied as the evidence does not show large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, persistent bleeding, secondary anemia, or fissures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his tension headaches, but granted a temporary increase to 30 percent effective May 4, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from congestive heart failure.