Hemorrhoids decisions — 2014

The VA denied a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for larger or more severe hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and disabilities, including numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, heart palpitations, right hip disability, high cholesterol, allergies, stress fractures, left knee disability, papillary necrosis, temporomandibular joint disorder, a lump on the cheek, right ankle disability, pelvic pain, fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, hernia of the abdominal wall, and hemorrhoids. The appeal is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including the provision of an examination and consideration of whether his service-connected conditions alone rendered him unemployable prior to August 15, 2000.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, a higher rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and TDIU were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids and left testicular intra-testicular and epididymal cysts were initially manifested during active service, and the Board finds that these conditions are now granted for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals of the determinations in the October 2010 and March 2012 rating decisions.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for hemorrhoids was granted, but the Board found that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted due to persistent bleeding and its role in causing anemia.

The Veteran's anal fissures with hemorrhoids are not considered to be a result of VA medical treatment, and the claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, or hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatitis and hemorrhoids began during service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current stomach disability, including diverticulitis and chronic gastritis, did not start during service or due to Agent Orange exposure. However, the Veteran's hemorrhoids were determined to have started in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion from an orthopedic physician and acquiring all relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and nexus to service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a compensable rating (20%) for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's current symptoms of itching, pain, and swelling are addressed by the rating criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a reaction to penicillin, broken nose, hemorrhoids, and pes planus. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, status post-operative, have not been manifested by persistent bleeding and with secondary anemia or with fissures. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for hemorrhoids and otitis media and Eustachian tube dysfunction have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned. Service connection has also been established for these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, effective from May 3, 2011. The initial 10 percent rating was assigned for the period December 1, 2008 to May 2, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine right paracentral disc protrusion of L4-L5 was granted a 20 percent rating prior to August 7, 2010 and a 40 percent rating since then. The left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was granted an increased rating from 10 percent to 40 percent since August 29, 2011. The Veteran's external hemorrhoids were granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 7, 2010 and a 20 percent rating thereafter.