Hemorrhoids decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the cumulative effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, coronary artery disease, a scar associated with a coronary artery bypass graft, hemorrhoids, right urethral calculus, left inguinal herniorraphy, left wrist ganglion, and hypertension have met the percentage requirements for the award of a schedular TDIU. The combined rating is 90 percent since October 27, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the current disability requirement under VA regulations. The Board found that his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a current right ear hearing loss disability at any time during the pendency of the claim or otherwise. For the status post left tibia stress fracture with patellofemoral syndrome, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating effective January 15, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding his employability based on service-connected disabilities prior to April 22, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, reopened and service connection claims were addressed. The rating reduction of the left index finger was upheld, but a new effective date was granted for some of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tuberculosis, bronchitis/a respiratory disorder other than tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, and a left knee disability. The Board found that he did not have or develop any chronic disabilities during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected hemorrhoids and left ear hearing loss, as well as any relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disorder. The new evidence does not establish a direct relationship to service or any service-connected disabilities. Service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and therefore he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are rated as noncompensable due to the lack of evidence supporting large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue evidencing frequent recurrences and persistent bleeding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claims on appeal are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and requests for Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and evidence indicating a worsening of the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2004 to March 10, 2005 and 90 percent thereafter meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Appellant does not meet the income requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of colon cancer, prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety), and hemorrhoids are denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability and granted an increased rating for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's current diagnoses include DJD of the right knee and hemorrhoids, which are both rated as 10% disabling.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids has been granted, and he is now entitled to VA compensation benefits for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including left knee osteoarthritis, low back degenerative disc disease, hemorrhoids, bilateral foot osteoarthritis, and respiratory disability (COPD).