Hemorrhoids decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and hemorrhoids contributed to his fatal cardiopulmonary arrest, hemorrhagic shock, acute blood loss, anemia and intestinal bleeding. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left ankle, hemorrhoids, and right leg disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for chronic duodenitis and hemorrhoids status postoperative with anal stricture are pending.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of sleep apnea, vertigo, chronic fatigue syndrome, pes planus, bilateral leg varicose veins, or residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia and hemorrhoids since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grants of service connection and special monthly compensation are November 13, 2006, based on the date of receipt of the initial claims.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and opinions related to the Veteran's service connection claims, increased rating claims, and anemia. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The Board found that his internal hemorrhoids were Grade I and did not warrant any higher ratings.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether fecal leakage should receive a separate rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 10, 2008, on an extraschedular basis has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis with PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling since October 16, 2002, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids with peplilitis and cryptitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rectal bleeding due to external hemorrhoid and anal fissure, claimed as hemorrhoid condition, and recurrent bilateral pterygiums are granted. The initial rating of 10% is assigned.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including decreased vision, headaches, back disorder, sterility and erectile dysfunction, hypertension, skin disorder, nail fungus, and recurrent hemorrhoids are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for avascular necrosis of the right hip, allergic rhinitis, and pharyngitis, as well as her claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is granted. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 10 percent since April 17, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the right knee disability receiving a higher rating. Service connection was also established for hemorrhoids, liver disorder, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, essential hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder as the Veteran's current conditions did not develop during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and recurrent pruritis with hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for service connection, resulting in a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a proctology examination to assess the current severity of his hemorrhoids with anal fissure.