Hemorrhoids decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including scoliosis of the lumbar spine and rheumatoid arthritis (implied by left lower extremity radiculopathy), render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's puretone thresholds have never met the criteria for a disability during this appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disability, asthma, hemorrhoids, Morton's neuroma, sinusitis, hypertension, right and left shoulder disabilities, a right knee disability, otitis media, rhinitis, costochondritis, GERD, headaches, and left testicle epididymitis. The Veteran does not have hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a comprehensive VA internal medicine examination to determine the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including a back disorder and right shoulder disorder. However, after reviewing all submitted evidence, the Board finds that these claims are not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to enable the RO to issue a Statement of the Case for issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Veteran's total and permanent disability rating due to service-connected disabilities, including his chronic cardiac disability affecting balance or propulsion, meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not presented such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with such related factors as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards. Therefore, referral for extraschedular consideration is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have any service-connected disabilities, and therefore, her claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and reopened the claim for sinus disability. The effective date of service connection for hemorrhoids is established as the date of receipt of her claim, November 2014. The motion alleging clear and unmistakable error in the October 1995 rating decision regarding low back disability is accepted.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any current or chronic conditions related to the issues on appeal. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for Hemorrhoids was also denied as there is no lay or medical evidence demonstrating a diagnosis of hemorrhoids or residuals thereof during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of her claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the service connection claim.

The Board found no evidence of hemorrhoids during service and denied the Veteran's claims for arthritis, left knee pain, plantar bone spurs, right thumb disability, and little finger or third finger disability. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service diagnosis. The claims of entitlement to service connection for rectal cancer and colon polyps are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been granted, with the effective date being August 1, 2010. The issue of an initial compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids is also addressed and resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. The symptoms are considered mild to moderate, and no additional symptoms attributable to other service-connected disabilities have been identified.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of hemorrhoids or right foot plantar wart disabilities for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran needs additional examinations and remands for his claims due to inadequate examination reports in the previous rating decisions. The appeals are now REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were not met prior to June 14, 2011.