The Board found that the Veteran's colon polyps and rectal cancer were neither caused nor aggravated by his service-connected hemorrhoids, thus denying both claims.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence in medical literature supporting a relationship between the occurrence of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer or polyp disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- colon polyps, rectal cancer
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2015
- Citation
- 1547754
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1547754.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic ear infections, chronic allergic rhinitis, colon polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic headaches (to include as due to sinusitis) based on the lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's assertions were not considered competent evidence regarding his claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bruising due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for breast tumors, gall bladder condition, and colon polyps are remanded as the evidence does not include an opinion on their relationship to active duty service or any toxic exposures.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's rectal cancer is related to his active duty service and exposure to Agent Orange. The Board granted service connection for the condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for rectal cancer and the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.
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