The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to the severing of his external sphincter during surgery, which was considered a foreseeable consequence and not attributable to VA negligence.
The deciding factor: The severing of the external sphincter with resultant fecal incontinence was considered a foreseeable consequence of the surgery performed for fistulous tracts, and thus not due to VA negligence.
- Claimed conditions
- Fecal Incontinence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2002
- Citation
- 0218179
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 0218179.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary disability, claimed as urinary incontinence, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a fecal incontinence disability, including as secondary to a pelvic floor disability, is remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a 60 percent rating for fecal incontinence was granted. The effective date of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status is set at February 26, 2020. The earlier effective date for service connection for fecal incontinence prior to August 16, 2019, is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 due to a lack of evidence showing that his bowel/fecal incontinence was caused by VA care and treatment following an August 9, 2000 hemorrhoidectomy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases of fecal incontinence and a rating for irritable bowel syndrome due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.