Hemorrhoids decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the VA examiner provided medical opinions that the claimed disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome has resulted in severe alternating diarrhea and constipation, which is the primary basis for her current rating. The Board finds that her hemorrhoids are secondary to her service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids due to lack of recent VA examination and treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids need to be reassessed.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids from March 16, 2006 to June 3, 2014. From June 3, 2014, the Veteran has symptoms of moderate prolapse of the rectum warranting a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for service connection and increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and COPD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claimed conditions or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids is granted. The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent based on painful motion, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's internal and external hemorrhoids have been rated under Diagnostic Code 7336, which provides that a noncompensable rating is warranted for 'mild or moderate' symptoms. The Board found the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a bilateral foot disability have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of any current disabilities or continuity of symptoms related to the Veteran's military service.,The medical records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for hemorrhoids, GERD, IBS, or a bilateral foot disability during or within one year after the Veteran's separation from active duty. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of any earlier unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to September 18, 2006 and no factually ascertainable evidence demonstrating entitlement to TDIU prior to March 24, 2010.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension and hemorrhoids are pending.

The Veteran's Bell's palsy, bilateral pes planus, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder were not found to be related to service. The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder did not manifest during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for right knee status post arthroscopy, GERD, and hemorrhoids are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no evidence supported herbicide exposure or a service-connected disability contributing to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee traumatic arthritis, left heel plantar fasciitis, and hemorrhoids were denied. The claim for service connection for a left hip disability was remanded.