Hemorrhoids decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hemorrhoids, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his period of active service. Service connection for a low back disorder is remanded as further examination is needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's hemorrhoid disability, while causing intermittent bleeding and discomfort, did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence did not support large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with frequent recurrences.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and therefore he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids, residuals of urethritis, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current disabilities are rated at a 10% level.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the prior examination report was inadequate and did not address the impact of his service-connected disabilities in combination on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of pneumonia or hemorrhoids, and therefore cannot establish secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell disease has been reopened and is granted. He is also awarded secondary service connection for multiple conditions as secondary to his sickle cell disease, including right shoulder/arm disorder, hemorrhoids (blood in stool), fungal dermatitis, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, heart condition, eye disorders (glaucoma and blindness in the left eye), muscle and joint pain, erectile dysfunction, and alopecia. His rating for vertigo remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have not resulted in persistent bleeding or secondary anemia, which would warrant a higher rating. The current 10% rating adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms and disability level.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, and thus denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was also denied for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, and he is denied an evaluation in excess of this rating. The Board finds that his disability picture does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hemorrhoids and bowel incontinence, which he claims are related to an incident during active duty. The VA has been asked to determine if these conditions are related to the in-service event.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including an examination and consideration of whether the Veteran can secure or follow substantially gainful employment given his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to his disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claim for entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder. The remaining claims have been adjudicated and are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids were present in service and have continued to be a current condition, warranting service connection.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle sprain and bilateral hip conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain medical records and arrange for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The issues on appeal include claims for service connection, increased ratings, and compensation.