Hemorrhoids decisions — 2015

The Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids have not been met.

The Veteran is seeking compensation benefits for a colon disorder that he claims was caused by errors during hemorrhoidectomies performed at a VA facility. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain records from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, particularly those from Shadyside Hospital.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability due to his claimed bilateral knee disability and hemorrhoids, which could be attributed to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and counseling evaluation folder. The inextricably intertwined psychiatric disorder claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's internal hemorrhoids have been manifested by mild to moderate symptoms throughout the period on appeal, and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids is remanded.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and hemorrhoids are found to be service-connected. The Veteran's hallux rigidus of the right toe is not service-connected.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated as 10% disabling since May 7, 2011. The bilateral posterior calcaneus scars of the feet are currently rated as 10% disabling in total.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids. The Board also denied service connection for a skin disorder to include rash, stomach disability, and impotency as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as for further clarification of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and initial compensable ratings for right wrist DJD and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were not granted. The Veteran is still considered to have these conditions, but he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination and social survey to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 26, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examination records, outstanding VA treatment records, and potential need for further examinations. The claims will be considered together as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied. The issues of reopening a claim for depression and entitlement to TDIU due to PTSD and depression were also addressed, but the decision is not provided in detail.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence does not support a grant of benefits in any of these cases.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his service-connected hemorrhoids, as it has been over a year since his last examination and he presented evidence indicating that his condition may have worsened.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand condition, tongue condition, and hemorrhoids. The evidence does not show current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of her TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and determine the relationship between his current disabilities and service.