Hemorrhoids are a common condition among veterans as a result of diet, exercise, and chemical exposures. As a result, for symptomatic hemorrhoids caused by or related to military service, the VA will provide hundreds of dollars in compensation per month.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. Hemorrhoids can be caused by increased pressure in the lower rectum from things like sitting for long periods of time, strenuous exercise, regularly lifting heavy items, eating a low-fiber diet, or chronic diarrhea or constipation.
There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external.
Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum and only rarely cause discomfort. However, straining or irritation when passing a stool can cause painless bleeding or for the hemorrhoid to push through the anal opening, causing a “prolapsed” or “protruding” hemorrhoid, resulting in pain and irritation.
Hemorrhoids that develop under the skin around the anus are called external hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids may cause itching or irritation, pain or discomfort, swelling, bleeding, or clotting (thrombosis).
Are Your Hemorrhoids Related to Your Military Service?
If you suffered from diagnosed hemorrhoids during your military service, and you continue to suffer from those hemorrhoids today, then you may be eligible for VA disability benefits.
If your hemorrhoid symptoms began in service, but you did not have an in-service diagnosis, then you may still be eligible for VA disability benefits; however, you will need a medical provider to connect those in-service symptoms to your current hemorrhoid condition.
Additionally, if you have another service-connected condition that caused or aggravated your current hemorrhoids, then you may be eligible for VA disability benefits for hemorrhoids, regardless of when they started.
For example, many veterans have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as a result of their service, both of which can cause hemorrhoids. If your service-connected condition, such as IBS or GERD, caused or aggravated hemorrhoids, then those hemorrhoids may be eligible for service-connected benefits as well. You will likely need a medical opinion to establish this secondary connection.
How Much Will the VA Compensate for Hemorrhoids?
Once the VA has awarded service-connection for your hemorrhoids, the VA will evaluate the severity of your condition using 38 C.F.R. 4.114, Diagnostic Code (DC) 7336.
This diagnostic code provides a 10% or 20% rating depending on the severity and frequency of your symptoms:
20%: Internal or external hemorrhoids with persistent bleeding and anemia; or continuously prolapsed internal hemorrhoids with three or more episodes per year of thrombosis.
10%: Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids with two or less episodes per year of thrombosis; or external hemorrhoids with three or more episodes per year of thrombosis.
Anything less would warrant a 0% rating and any additional symptoms would require the VA to consider using a different diagnostic code, granting secondary service-connection for a separate condition, or evaluating the need for special monthly compensation.
Notably, if hemorrhoids come and go, the VA is instructed to consider hemorrhoid recurrences as associated with the original service-connected hemorrhoids.
In 2026, for a single veteran without dependents, a 20% rating equates to $356.66/month and a 10% rating equates to $180.42/month.
How to Start Your Claim for VA Disability Benefits for Hemorrhoids?
If your current hemorrhoids are related to your military service, you should consider applying for VA disability benefits today in one of the following ways:
- File online: here.
- File by mail
Complete the VA application for disability benefits and mail it to this address:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
- File in person at your local VA Regional Office
- File by fax:
If you’re in the U.S., fax your application to 844-531-7818.
If you’re outside the U.S., fax your application to 248-524-4260.
- File with the help of a trained professional, such as an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative.
To ensure the success of your claim, you should also submit the following:
- Any in-service medical records documenting hemorrhoid symptoms or a diagnosis. This could also include letters from people you served with or family members detailing your in-service condition.
- Current medical evidence establishing the history and severity of your hemorrhoid symptoms. You may ask your medical provider to complete this questionnaire about your symptoms: Rectum and Anus Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire.
- A daily log of symptoms and a detailed account of how those symptoms impact your employment and daily life.
- Medical evidence of any connection between the hemorrhoids and other service-related conditions, such as IBS or GERD.
Contact us to appeal now!
Has the VA denied your claim for service-related hemorrhoids or underrated your condition? We are here to help you appeal! Contact us to reach our advocates today, or call 1 (877) 777-4021 to take the next step in obtaining the VA disability benefits you deserve.
