Hemorrhoids decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown as likely as not to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and education background, warranting a TDIU rating.

The VA has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and assigned a noncompensable rating, effective July 30, 2009. The Veteran's symptoms have been described as episodic perianal swelling, itching, and bleeding on toilet tissue every two weeks.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it is more likely than not related to his in-service noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. Service connection for residuals of vasectomy is denied due to lack of current evidence of any residual condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's perirectal fistula is service-connected, as it is at least as likely as not caused by his treatment for a perirectal abscess during active duty training in April 1997. The request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for hemorrhoids will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed. The compensable rating claim for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development and consideration.,Your claims for service connection have been returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability, and to determine if he meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating for hemorrhoids. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a service connection claim for hepatitis C, claimed as secondary to service-connected hemorrhoids, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hemorrhoids were denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of bilateral ankle injuries is considered 'unknown' as it does not appear to be the primary focus of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further medical evidence and a VA examination to determine the relationship between his claimed disabilities and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a DRO hearing and, thereafter, a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to compensable disability ratings for recurrent bronchitis and hemorrhoids are pending.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as the Veteran did not have current complaints of ringing in his ears, and there is no evidence of such during or after military service. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, Peyronie's disease, and other conditions, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his educational background and work experience as an administrator.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids has been granted. The Board is also granting the benefit sought on appeal in this issue, but is not addressing the remaining issues as they are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. His compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids remains at 20%.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for the period from October 28, 2008 through November 30, 2008 due to postoperative complications following a service-connected hemorrhoidectomy.