Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his hemorrhoids.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for bipolar disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent was improper and restored the original 70 percent rating. The Veteran's left forearm scar, hemorrhoids, and pinguecula were not rated higher than zero percent due to lack of disabling effects.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left hip disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of hemorrhoids. His claimed hemorrhoids were previously diagnosed in 1998.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities by themselves are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability prior to May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues were either not addressed or are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left tibia scar was denied in May 2013. The evidence submitted since that decision is not new and material.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability (GERD and peptic ulcers), cervical spine disability, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral feet, hemorrhoids, right lower varicose veins, left lower varicose veins, PTSD, right foot bunionectomy scars, left foot bunionectomy scars, and right knee limitation of extension were not incurred in or a result of active duty service.,The Veteran's acne/rosacea/melasma was granted service connection on September 12, 2011, the day after she was discharged from active duty. The effective date for bilateral knee strain was also granted on September 12, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected IBS. The post-operative residuals of gall bladder removal are not considered related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to his active duty. For PTSD, the initial rating prior to January 9, 2015, and staged ratings from that date were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 30, 2001 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from August 19, 2003 to April 2, 2005 was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 2, 2005 were not met.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated at a 20 percent since January 8, 2014. Prior to that date, the rating was denied as there were no symptoms of internal or external hemorrhoids warranting a compensable rating.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and her service-connected disabilities preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's postoperative residuals of ventral hernia repair are currently rated at noncompensable (0%), and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Prior to January 15, 2015, the Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated as noncompensable. From that date forward, they have been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle tendonitis and arthritis, as well as lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not found to be related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disability and knee pain, met the schedular requirements for TDIU as of October 28, 1997. However, due to his other service-connected conditions, he did not meet the combined rating criteria for TDIU prior to August 31, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for hemorrhoids was also granted and the effective date is set to April 7, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his non-service connected conditions and substance abuse impact his ability to work. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to prostate cancer, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected sacroiliac strain and hemorrhoids did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private medical records from specific providers.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU, and her low back strain with limitation of motion does not present an exceptional disability picture that the available schedular evaluations are inadequate.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has not been manifested by ankylosis of the ankle, and his hemorrhoids have resulted in persistent bleeding and secondary anemia. The Board finds that a maximum schedular rating of 20 percent is warranted for both conditions throughout the appeal period.