The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for anal fissure, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 13, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran required a pad due to leakage or fecal incontinence for anal fissure prior to December 13, 2010. From December 13, 2010 onwards, his symptoms were described as occasional liquid discharge and leakage of stools but no abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, blood with stools, change in stools, or narrowing of stools.
- Claimed conditions
- anal fissure, impairment of rectal sphincter control
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 13, 2018
- Citation
- 1814945
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 1814945.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ must schedule an examination to determine if he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person as a result of his service-connected impairment of rectal sphincter control.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids with anal fissure and fistula, finding that the Veteran's burn pit exposures likely aggravated his existing IBS-related diarrhea, which in turn caused his hemorrhoids.
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