Hemorrhoids Board decisions

The VA denied an increased rating for service-connected hemorrhoids, which the veteran claimed were causing him significant pain and preventing him from working.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examination reports and outpatient treatment records. The veteran's initial evaluations for irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids are being reviewed.

The VA Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of sphincterectomy and fissurectomy for hemorrhoids do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms are characterized by occasional involuntary bowel movements requiring the use of a fecal pad once per day.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hemorrhoids are related to his service-connected conditions, specifically his small bowel resection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination for hemorrhoids and issuance of a statement of the case regarding PTSD.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for hemorrhoids and sphincter control impairment was denied. The RO found that prior to June 1, 2004, there was no evidence of large or thrombotic and irreducible hemorrhoids warranting a compensable rating. Since June 1, 2004, the veteran's condition met criteria for a 10 percent disability rating. For sphincter control impairment, the RO found that objective evidence did not meet criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD from August 19, 2002. The initial claim of an initial, compensable rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for skin growth/rash on the chest/torso as due to herbicide exposure is dismissed due to lack of timely appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left hip disorders, as well as his claim for service connection for a bladder disorder secondary to his lumbar spine disorder and hemorrhoids. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensable evaluations for his claimed conditions, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and compensable rating for hemorrhoids. The claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is referred to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for apportionment of the veteran's service-connected disability compensation payments, finding that a special apportionment would cause undue financial hardship to the veteran.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, pulmonary calcifications (claimed as tuberculosis), left shoulder bursitis, and arthritis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 26, 2002 for the grant of TDIU due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU at that time.

The Board has remanded the case for proper notice and to afford the veteran a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his combined rating is only 10 percent and does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for hemorrhoids, effective May 4, 2001. The condition is considered to be of the moderate severity level.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for hemorrhoids, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,Specifically, the veteran's hemorrhoids were found to not cause persistent bleeding or secondary anemia, thus not meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating. Her sinusitis was found to have less than three incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment and no more than six non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. Lastly, her allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for either a 10 percent or 30 percent rating due to lack of polyps and obstruction.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore service connection for each condition is denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for hemorrhoids and pulmonary tuberculosis were denied as there is no evidence of active conditions, and the current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.