Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids have been manifested by mild to moderate residuals and do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating. A 'staged' rating of 20 percent for the period prior to May 27, 2009, for service-connected hemorrhoids is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings assigned are appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids, which is related to his service-connected gastroenteritis, has been remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether the gastroenteritis aggravated the hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his residuals from the 2007 gastrectomy.

The Veteran does not have hemorrhoids that were caused or aggravated by his service. The claim must therefore be denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, IBS, and paresthesia of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and a skin disorder. The claim for residuals of dental trauma was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision and are being remanded to the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right kidney cancer and hemorrhoids, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding VA medical records and for consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Service connection was denied for hearing loss, internal hemorrhoids, ulcerative proctitis, hypertension, a heart disorder (presumed secondary to hypertension), right kidney disorder (renal cell carcinoma), Hashimoto's thyroiditis with goiter, and gallstones.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, athlete's foot and toenail fungus, plantar fasciitis, sinus disability, high cholesterol, heart disability, back disability with sciatica, numbness of the right lower extremity, ruptured disc, neck injury, and left arm and shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting three to four non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Board found that the cause of death, sepsis from an ulcerated tracheostomy site, was not related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability is rated at 10 percent, effective January 30, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no objective medical evidence of persistent bleeding or anal fissures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has determined that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear pain, leukoplakia, GERD, bruxism, left knee disability, impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, cervical spine DJD, lumbar spine DJD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition or link to service.

The Veteran's current internal hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The issue of service connection for headaches remains unresolved as the evidence is insufficient to determine a nexus with service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids and Morton's neuroma of the right foot are both granted as their conditions were first noted during periods of active duty.