The Veteran's residuals of anal fistula, currently diagnosed as an anal fissure, have been manifested by anal pain, itching, and discomfort, occasional involuntary bowel movements necessitating the use of a pad, constant slight leakage, and some rectal bleeding. For the entire rating period prior to August 5, 2014, the criteria for a 30 percent rating have been met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms included anal pain, itching, occasional diarrhea, and two to three episodes of fecal incontinence or leakage per day, which are consistent with a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7332 (impairment of sphincter control).
- Claimed conditions
- anal fistula, anal fissure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 2, 2016
- Citation
- 1622129
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 1622129.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's daughter, including a claim for anal fistula, right knee injury residuals, left ear hearing loss, and valvular heart disease. The decision also notes that no fiduciary was appointed on behalf of the Appellant due to her adoption.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal to increase the rating for his service-connected anal fissure and hemorrhoids was dismissed because it was an improper appeal of a non-adjudicative decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anal fistula, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his service-connected GERD and the development of the anal fistula. The Board also noted that the Veteran had not been diagnosed with any other conditions such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
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