Hemorrhoids decisions — 2018

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of hemorrhoidectomies with anal stricture are granted a disability rating of 60 percent prior to December 4, 2014. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise that his symptoms more closely approximate the criteria for a 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's headaches and hemorrhoids. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and fracture right hand radius postoperative weakness are rated at the lowest possible levels due to their mild or moderate severity.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an eye disability, status post hemorrhoidectomy, scar from hemorrhoidectomy, and sinusitis have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids and PTSD were granted service connection. The rating for PTSD was increased to 50 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances due to use of diabetic shoes and custom insoles/orthotics, as well as skin medications. The decision is based on the VHA Handbook 1173.15 which states that these items do not tend to wear or tear clothing.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. However, service connection for hemorrhoids was denied due to a lack of current disability.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from December 1, 1993 to July 23, 1996. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's complete loss of sphincter control is found to be proximately due to his service-connected hemorrhoids, and he is granted a 100 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 10 percent since April 6, 2009. The left ankle scar is currently rated at 10 percent. The left torn Achilles tendon and bilateral pes planus disabilities are both rated at 10 percent. The right knee DJD is rated at 30 percent. The decision does not address the left knee strain.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and hemorrhoids as there are no confirmed diagnoses of these conditions at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for hemorrhoids and service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The Veteran's incarceration prevented him from receiving a VA examination, which is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but the Board finds that he has not been unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as evidenced by his continued employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of left index finger disability, left index finger scar, and hemorrhoids have been dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for increased ratings of left knee instability, left ACL status-post anterior graft and meniscectomy, and right great toe fracture with osteoarthritis and hallux rigidus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, granted an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected hemorrhoids, and granted an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for his service-connected dermatitis. The issues of increased ratings for other conditions remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of development. The issues have not been adjudicated by the RO and appealed to the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder due to circumcision is dismissed. The claim for PTSD is denied. The appeal for respiratory disorder (asbestos exposure) is denied. The appeal for sleep disorder is denied. The appeal for headaches is denied. An initial rating of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease is granted. Appeals for coronary artery disease, hypertension, corns of the bilateral feet, and hemorrhoids are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.