The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her total disability rating due to rectovaginal fistula, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the July 1995 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent initial rating.
The deciding factor: The revised schedular criteria applied at the time of the initial claim did not manifestly change the outcome as they would have resulted in a lower noncompensable rating for rectovaginal fistula without leakage.
- Claimed conditions
- rectovaginal fistula
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1602218
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 1602218.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for rectovaginal fistula, service connection for bacterial vaginosis as secondary to her service-connected rectovaginal fistula, and SMC on account of loss of use of a creative organ due to her service-connected rectovaginal fistula are remanded. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations and provide clarification regarding the severity of her conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of March 30, 1998 for the establishment of service connection for residuals from an ectopic pregnancy, rectovaginal fistula, and chronic urinary tract infection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for impairment of rectal sphincter control, a Bartholin gland cyst with abscess, a rectovaginal fistula, and a perineal tear with perianal paralysis as the evidence did not support a causal link to active duty service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for rectovaginal fistula and remanded other claims due to insufficient evidence.
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.