Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The claims of service connection for bronchitis, hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, ulcers, and hemorrhoids were also denied. Service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to determine if his current hernia disability may be related to his active duty military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder including secondary to hemorrhoids will be further evaluated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's original claim for service connection was received on September 16, 2002, before his discharge from service. Therefore, an effective date of October 1, 2002, is granted for the grant of service connection for multiple disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for functional bowel syndrome with intermittent diarrhea prior to a decision being made by the Board. The remaining issues are addressed below.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and TMJ Syndrome were granted. The Board found that the Veteran had these conditions during his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids was denied as his current symptomatology does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for gouty arthritis of bilateral ankles was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 18, 2009, and for a 10 percent rating from that date forward.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids was also denied by the Board. They determined that his hemorrhoid pathology did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his Social Security Administration records. The RO will also obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent hemorrhoids, to include residual tagging, is granted. The Board finds that the current tags are consistent with a history of hemorrhoids in service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for loss of sexual sensation including erectile dysfunction, increased ratings for hemorrhoids, right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, and varicose veins, right leg due to unresolved issues in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted. He is also awarded an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for hypertension, and a 20% evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to January 25, 2008. The Veteran's GERD is rated as 10%. These evaluations are effective from the date of service discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity thrombophlebitis does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran requires assistance from another person primarily due to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of current VA medical records. The Veteran currently has a 10% disability rating for hemorrhoids, but may be entitled to a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids is being remanded due to the need for an updated examination and consideration of his symptoms during their most severe state.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the new evidence received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation training at INSEAD in France was unique and not available in the United States, preventing him from attending due to personal hardship. The criteria for vocational rehabilitation training outside the United States have been met.

The Board has granted a 20% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids, effective from May 9, 2008. The condition is manifested by persistent bleeding and an anal fissure.