Hemorrhoids decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran's hemorrhoid disability has not been manifested by large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrences since November 25, 2005.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded the matter for issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including severe headaches and postoperative residuals. The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the combined evaluation of these conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Orange Park Medical Center from July 26 - August 1, 2012 were approved as the services rendered were for a disability of a veteran who has a total disability permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is shown to have had its inception in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of compensable evaluations for penile herpes simplex, scar from an appendectomy, and hemorrhoids are remanded due to a need for additional development.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2012 calendar year due to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with limited motion, which resulted in a rigid back brace issued by VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and OPM records, and scheduling a VA examination for the right shoulder disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids, finding that the Veteran's post-service diagnosis of hemorrhoids is related to his in-service hemorrhoid problems. The other conditions were not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids, arthritis of the hands and cervical spine and side-effects of medicine (formerly claimed as osteopathic conditions and side-effects of medicine), diverticulitis, herniated esophagus, bilateral cataracts, presbyopia, and thin spots in the retina, hepatitis, umbilical and groin hernias, impotence, allergies, neurological bladder disease, edema of the lower extremities, residuals of a head injury, sexually transmitted disease, residuals of a throat trauma, hypothyroidism, memory loss, benign prostatic hypertrophy. The Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified are etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of irritable bowel syndrome, but granted the highest schedular evaluation for fibromyalgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU and basic eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids and varicose veins are related to service. The residuals of a TBI have not been shown.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent, effective May 24, 1995. The appeal for higher evaluations and service connection for hemorrhoids were all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining his VA treatment records from January 26, 2015 to the present. The issues of increased ratings for hemorrhoids and bilateral knees are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD related to service stressors, and his respiratory condition (asthma) existed prior to service. The appeal for service connection for hemorrhoids was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, stomach disorder, respiratory disorder, fatigue, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids, have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a VA examination to address the claim for service connection for low back disorder as secondary to service-connected perirectal abscesses.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service and did not manifest within one year of discharge, thus denying service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current GERD, hemorrhoids, and rectal polyps are not related to service. The VA examiner opined that there is no clinical objective evidence of GERD in service and suggested that any symptoms were likely due to an upper respiratory infection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also found that the Veteran is likely unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.