The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's right ankle fracture, left ankle injury, and right shoulder injury. The rating for bowel incontinence is also granted to a 30 percent level. However, the rating for hemorrhoids remains at noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the veteran had significant functional impairment with his ankle disabilities but no ankylosis. For the right shoulder disability, the Board found that there was limitation of motion at the shoulder level warranting a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5201. The bowel incontinence was rated as 30 percent disabling based on occasional involuntary bowel movements necessitating wearing of a pad. Hemorrhoids were not large or thrombotic, so they remained noncompensable.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Fracture, Left Ankle Injury, Right Shoulder Injury, Bowel Incontinence, Hemorrhoids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 28, 2002
- Citation
- 0201939
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0201939.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of increased rating for back disability, service connection for sleep apnea, left heel, and hemorrhoids, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to August 1, 2025, for additional development.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and hemorrhoids, but remanded the claim for a right knee disability.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings on all claims due to untimely Notices of Disagreement.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.