Hemorrhoids decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is granted. The claims for service connection for a right foot disability and neck disability are denied, as well as the initial rating claims for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left foot plantar fasciitis, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new examinations to assess the severity of his hemorrhoids, scars, and back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 18, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher rating than initially assigned.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for peptic ulcer disease, and residuals of a low back injury including chronic disc degeneration as his conditions were not related to service or due to an established exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension was not productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The Veteran's post-service blood pressure readings never reached these levels.,For the entire period of the appeal, the service-connected hemorrhoids are asymptomatic or are principally manifested by small to moderate hemorrhoids with mild symptoms, itching, and occasional bleeding without evidence of thrombotic hemorrhoids, excessive redundant tissue, frequent recurrences, persistent bleeding and with secondary anemia, or fissures.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hemorrhoids and low back disability did not originate in service or are otherwise etiologically related to military service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claimed stomach/gastrointestinal and skin disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis, bilateral flat feet and hammer toes, folliculitis, and hemorrhoids are all found to be related to her service. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left lower extremity, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoid disabilities, as well as entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, arthritis of the left foot, and tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right ankle. Service connection was granted for hemorrhoids, but with a non-compensable evaluation. The Veteran's right foot arthritis and surgical scars were also not granted increased evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his service-connected disabilities, including left arm brachial plexopathy, hypothyroidism, and erectile dysfunction, were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions due to his service.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to assess the etiology of the Veteran's hemorrhoids and low back disability. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and her inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities has been established.

The Board has determined that more current VA examinations are needed to properly rate the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and burn scar of the right arm due to the passage of time since his last examinations. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to April 4, 2003 and denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the claim for TDIU is denied.