Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids is denied as the current evaluation of 10 percent already accounts for the symptoms described, including large and thrombotic external hemorrhoids with bleeding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to August 11, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 27, 2011. The Board denied the claim for TDIU based on the evidence showing that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a grant of increased ratings or TDIU. The evidence does not support an increase in rating for hemorrhoids, and there is no indication of diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, right knee, left knee, and hemorrhoid disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for hemorrhoids and hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking a rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (mixed anxiety depressive disorder).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is granted. The claims for service connection for a right foot disability and neck disability are denied, as well as the initial rating claims for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left foot plantar fasciitis, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new examinations to assess the severity of his hemorrhoids, scars, and back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 18, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher rating than initially assigned.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for peptic ulcer disease, and residuals of a low back injury including chronic disc degeneration as his conditions were not related to service or due to an established exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension was not productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The Veteran's post-service blood pressure readings never reached these levels.,For the entire period of the appeal, the service-connected hemorrhoids are asymptomatic or are principally manifested by small to moderate hemorrhoids with mild symptoms, itching, and occasional bleeding without evidence of thrombotic hemorrhoids, excessive redundant tissue, frequent recurrences, persistent bleeding and with secondary anemia, or fissures.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hemorrhoids and low back disability did not originate in service or are otherwise etiologically related to military service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claimed stomach/gastrointestinal and skin disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis, bilateral flat feet and hammer toes, folliculitis, and hemorrhoids are all found to be related to her service. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left lower extremity, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoid disabilities, as well as entitlement to a TDIU.