Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed as there are no specific issues for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids, to include an anal fissure, had their onset in service and are therefore considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD disability are currently rated as 30 percent disabling effective August 21, 2012. The Board has found that the criteria for an increased rating to a maximum of 60 percent have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain (back disability) is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, effective December 14, 2012. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating to a maximum of 60 percent have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's hemorrhoids since March 13, 2014. Prior to that date, no higher rating was warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, hemorrhoids, and headaches are being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA will attempt to obtain all relevant treatment records from February 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cluster headaches, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hernia with scar status post hernia repair have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a hearing. The Board has granted a TDIU based on service-connected cluster headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The diabetes mellitus rating remains at 40 percent, and hypertension is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for external hemorrhoids, and increased ratings for her knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current level of disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and heart murmur disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current hemorrhoids disability that was initially manifested in service or is otherwise etiologically related to service, and also concluded that he does not have a heart disability to include a heart murmur.

The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board finds that a higher initial 30 percent rating is warranted for GERD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for chronic headaches, a gastrointestinal disability (diarrhea and hemorrhoids), chronic fatigue, inability to concentrate, and hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered in relation to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are manifested by persistent bleeding with fissures, and the Board has granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for hemorrhoids, so the Board has dismissed the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder and bilateral inguinal hernias, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. He is rated at 100% for schizoaffective disorder since December 20, 2013, but his other disabilities are rated less than 60%. The Board denied the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids do not warrant a compensable rating as they have been manifested by mild or moderate internal or external hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids warrant a 10 percent rating, effective November 16, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees and enlarged prostate with urinary frequency were denied. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 10 percent, but not compensable.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of hemorrhoidectomies with anal stricture are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a separate noncompensable disability rating for internal hemorrhoids under Diagnostic Code 7336. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for his primary condition.