Hemorrhoids decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and a rectal condition, including hemorrhoids and fecal leakage. Service connection for bilateral hallux rigidus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess current severity and any fecal leakage associated with the condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain service treatment and personnel records, as well as VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for examinations and a new examination for his Peyronie's syndrome with erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his hemorrhoids was denied by the Board. The VA examinations showed mild to moderate internal hemorrhoids that did not require continuous medication and were not large, thrombotic, irreducible or frequently recurring.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his hemorrhoids was denied as he failed to report for the necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids was denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at 20 percent since August 26, 2015. Prior to that date, the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent was granted.,The Board has also granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including panic disorder and stress urinary incontinence, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issue on appeal, including a more contemporaneous VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and obtaining private treatment records from Dr. A.D.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA Vocational Rehabilitation file and scheduling him for an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The symptoms described are consistent with a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability and new issues involving hemorrhoids, colon cancer, enlarged prostate, Graves' disease, and pulmonary sarcoidosis. The Veteran will be provided with a Statement of the Case for these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting hemorrhoids were not aggravated by active service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition.,VA examination revealed no chronic left elbow disability related to active service. The examiner concluded that the current left elbow disability was not connected to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling records. Additionally, new examinations are needed for his bilateral knee disabilities, inguinal hernia residuals, kidney stone residuals, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are large and result in persistent bleeding, frequent recurrences, and excessive redundant tissue. The current rating under the applicable diagnostic code adequately reflects these findings.

The Board found that the cause of death, septic shock due to positive blood culture for staphylococcus, was not causally or etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to the cause of his death.