Hemorrhoids decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding the need for an annual clothing allowance due to needing a splint on his left wrist. The case will be reviewed by the Chief Medical Director or their designee to determine if the splint also treats his service-connected residuals of left elbow epicondylectomy with post-operative scar and pain, and weakness of the left forearm, hand, and wrist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids and left ankle sprain are as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for tuberculosis. The remaining issues of initial compensable ratings for the broken left index finger and hemorrhoids are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing before a member of the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his hemorrhoids was granted, with a 10% rating assigned. The claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder and sleep apnea were also granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, left shoulder impingement syndrome, urinary incontinence, posterior fistulotomy, status post hemangioma liver with scars, diverticulitis, and retinaculum removal are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable (0%) disability evaluation for her service-connected lipoma removal scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hemorrhoids and bowel disability were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a 30% evaluation for sigmoid stricture with diverting colostomy and cecostomy tube placement, effective May 16, 2011. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated as noncompensable. An earlier effective date of October 14, 2009 is granted for service connection of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's combined rating is 80 percent, and the VA specialist determined that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, a skin disability of the feet (dermatophytosis), and a skin disability of the groin (intertrigo) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hemorrhoids and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including depressive disorder and multiple foot disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for DM and a gallbladder condition due to new evidence received since the June 1998 rating determination. The original grants of service connection were not final as there is no indication that any claim was filed prior to April 1, 1992.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids with anal fissure and loss of rectal sphincter control, status post-surgery are currently rated at 60 percent. The rating is based on the current level of disability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids and left knee degenerative arthritis effective April 4, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain medical records, provide a VA examination, and consider all evidence of record. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered in light of this additional information.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids were rated at 10 percent effective April 10, 2008, due to the presence of excessive redundant tissue and internal/external hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive features and plantar calluses, do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment given his education and previous work experience.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea effective June 1, 2005. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to August 30, 2012 is remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic diarrhea and hemorrhoids. The Veteran was granted a 10% initial rating for her right wrist disability (tenosynovitis), but denied compensable ratings for other conditions including spider veins, dermatitis of both ankles, and spider bite scar residual. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU prior to March 9, 2012.