Hemorrhoids decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral flank disability, left trapezium disability, right eye disability, and hemorrhoids. The AOJ is instructed to contact the Veteran regarding his treatment history at Naval Air Station Lemoore and any other relevant VA or non-VA health care providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and right elbow residuals status post ganglion cyst removal are all granted. The Veteran has demonstrated current disabilities that had onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and unclear treatment history. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed.

All claims for service connection related to burns, kidney disorder, high cholesterol, positive tuberculosis test, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, hemorrhoids, scars, anemia, and asthma have been denied. The Veteran's skin condition is not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are found to be secondary to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder other than irritable bowel syndrome, including peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease, is also found to be secondary to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying the Veteran's hearing request.

The Veteran's bilateral testicle disability and internal hemorrhoids are not service-connected as they are attributed to post-service surgeries. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinions more probative than the Veteran's lay assertions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her service-connected hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids, bilateral knee disabilities, or bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's hemorrhoids, effective December 23, 2010. The condition is rated under the general rating criteria for external or internal hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded as the VA has not obtained an opinion regarding his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining this information.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for a scar located at the right lateral epicondyle of the humerus and hemorrhoids have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is rated at 20% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis, arthritis, or instability.,The Veteran's external hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hemorrhoids and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for neck and knee disabilities, as well as the request for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids, are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected conditions, including headaches with facial numbness, cervical spine DDD, thoracolumbar spine DDD, hemorrhoids, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia. The appeals were based on direct service connection.