Hemorrhoids decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher evaluations or additional benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, cyst on the right foot, bilateral pes cavus, allergic sinusitis, and degenerative changes of the first metatarsal of the bilateral feet are all granted. The issues of service connection for secondary conditions to service-connected bilateral Achilles tendonitis are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids, right knee chondromalacia, and loss of strength in his hands are related to service. However, chronic fatigue syndrome was not found during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SOC addressing his claim for additional reimbursement under the FMP for medical treatment/services rendered in Poland.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied as the items claimed did not qualify under VA regulations. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from a VA examiner or designee of the Undersecretary for Health.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his hemorrhoids and right hand disability, as well as entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the right hand, were denied by the RO in December 2014. The Veteran has expressed disagreement with these decisions but no NOD form was received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore he is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is being remanded due to inadequate examination results and the need for further development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The AOJ will also request a VA examination in connection with his 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 claim for perirectal abscess and fistula.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for anal fistula, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and noting that the Veteran did not have any complaints or diagnoses related to an anal fistula until after his separation from service. The Board also noted that the Veteran had other diagnosed conditions such as hemorrhoids and diverticulosis.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and finds that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board granted service connection for hemorrhoids and assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective June 4, 2014. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not found to be incurred in or aggravated by service. Service connection for bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted with an effective date of June 4, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by any service-connected condition, including his right below-the-knee amputation. The cause of death was cardiac arrest due to myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not show large or thrombotic and irreducible hemorrhoids or persistent bleeding with secondary anemia or fissures.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinus condition or hemorrhoids, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The claim for service connection for both conditions was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for blepharitis was withdrawn at his Board hearing. The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's service connection claims for anthrax shots and bilateral hearing loss were also withdrawn at his Board hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted, with specific evaluations assigned. The lumbar spine condition was initially evaluated as not meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to February 17, 2011 and from August 16, 2011 onwards. For cervical spine disability, initial compensable evaluation was denied prior to August 16, 2011 but granted at 20 percent thereafter. The left shoulder condition received a compensable evaluation starting from August 16, 2011. Right knee and benign prostatic hypertrophy conditions were initially evaluated as non-compensable. Right-side sciatica was evaluated as moderately severe since January 27, 2015. Hemorrhoids did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have onset during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his in-service history of snoring. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated as noncompensable due to mild symptoms, including occasional pain, tenderness, and bleeding.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of hemorrhoids, back disability, and Bell's palsy were not shown to be related to his military service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.