Hemorrhoids Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and not providing authorization for obtaining records from Dr. Howard or Ms. Shaffey, as well as receiving additional pertinent evidence after a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) was issued.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues including vertigo, colitis, hemorrhoids (secondary to colitis), fungal infections of the toenails, and thyroid condition post thyroidectomy due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's diverticulitis and hemorrhoids have not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inconsistencies in the severity assessments of the Veteran's knee disabilities and internal hemorrhoids. Additional evidence is needed, including VA treatment records since May 2016, and a new examination for both knees and internal hemorrhoids.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for an eating disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's acne with scarring is granted service connection as it was aggravated by service. However, his hemorrhoids are denied service connection due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals on the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and recurrent major depression with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder without agoraphobia due to his withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU from December 23, 2002 to May 16, 2012 due to concerns about substantial compliance with prior remand instructions and reliance on an inadequate VA medical opinion. The case is now being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to hypertension, dermatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and sleep apnea require additional development. The effective dates of these claims will be determined after further review.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoidal skin tags, status post hemorrhoids is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and further attempts to obtain federal records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the circumstances of the Veteran's fall and death, which is necessary to determine if his service-connected disabilities contributed to his cause of death.