Hemorrhoids decisions — 2017

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's stomach disability, including whether it is related to service and any other conditions. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran died of septic shock, but the service-connected back disability and other conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board finds no evidence linking these conditions to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids have been rated at 10 percent since the rating period on appeal. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7336, as they did not result in persistent bleeding with secondary anemia or fissures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 25, 2008.

From July 10, 2002 to March 8, 2012, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.,As of March 9, 2012, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot due to the Veteran receiving a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were not rated higher than the current 30 percent assigned.,His left foot bunion with pes planus was rated at 30 percent prior to August 14, 2015 and his bilateral flat feet are currently rated at 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to earlier effective dates for TDIU, DEA, and PTSD. The RO granted these benefits on April 4, 2011.

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As such, the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection claims. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral bone spurs has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran currently has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, which is related to his service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as new and material evidence has been received showing a possible relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, hypothyroidism, right heel spur syndrome, and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues regarding service connection for hemorrhoids and a disability rating in excess of 60 percent disabling from July 1, 2010 for ischemic heart disease and CAD status post stent placement.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional service treatment records and clarify the Veteran's date(s) of active military service. The claims will be readjudicated based on whether the June 1986 rating decision denying service connection for low back disability is final.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, right ankle disability, and hemorrhoids are all service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's hemorrhoids did not manifest during active service and are not causally related to his active service. Therefore, service connection for hemorrhoids is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for postoperative hemorrhoidectomy and pilonidal cyst are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral tinea cruris remains pending.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current internal hemorrhoids to her active duty service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's internal hemorrhoids with post anal fissure and bowel leakage are currently rated at 10 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not involve large or thrombotic hemorrhoids, bleeding, excessive redundant tissue, or persistent bowel leakage.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to a lack of recent medical examination. The case will be readjudicated after any additional development.