Hemorrhoids decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and insufficient evidence, requiring further investigation into the Veteran's hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids with fistulas and surgery.

The Veteran's PTSD and Tension Headaches were granted increased ratings, with a 70% rating for PTSD and a 50% rating for Tension Headaches. The effective date for the tension headaches rating was denied as there is no factual basis to award an earlier effective date. The Veteran also received a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied service connection for headaches, a psychiatric disorder, and hemorrhoids due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding a foot disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his anxiety disorder and physical disabilities such as knee pain and shoulder impingement syndrome, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left carpal tunnel release, bilateral eye disorders, PTSD, fibromyalgia, hemorrhoids, and seasonal allergies. The Veteran will need additional examinations and evaluations for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a left arm burn scar have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's bladder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection for headache disability was denied due to lack of current evidence and no identified underlying condition.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection on a presumptive basis as it manifested within the one-year presumptive period following her separation from active service. The other issues were remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of entitlement to compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, internal hemorrhoids, and dermatitis due to further development being needed. The Veteran testified that his service-connected disabilities have worsened since his last VA examinations.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran was denied service connection in December 1993 due to lack of evidence, but the current submission includes allegations by the Veteran regarding an injury during military training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and additional medical records establishing a current back disability.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disability is denied. The Veteran has been diagnosed with refractive error, mild allergic conjunctivitis, bilateral senile cataracts, and open angle glaucoma suspected. His current hearing loss was not caused by or related to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as there is evidence of a current disability (sensorineural hearing loss) and in-service acoustic trauma has been conceded. The Veteran's hearing was normal at discharge, but he developed sensorineural hearing loss many years after service without continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability (tinnitus).,The Veteran's claim of service connection for Barrett's esophagus is denied. The Veteran does not have, and has not had during the period on appeal, a disability consisting of colon polyps.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for colon polyps, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and GERD are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied. The Veteran does not have, and has not had during the period on appeal, a disability consisting of colon polyps.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for diverticulitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, sphincter control impairment, erectile dysfunction, and hemorrhoids, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The left knee disability claim is being remanded for a new VA examination, while the neuropathy of the left hand and hemorrhoids claims are also being remanded for additional development including obtaining service treatment records.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is dismissed. An initial compensable rating of no higher than 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, and the Veteran's right knee contusion and migraines are denied.