The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for bowel impairment prior to January 5, 2015 was denied. The Veteran also sought SMC-R1 based on paraplegia with loss of bowel and bladder movement and the need for aid and attendance prior to January 5, 2015, but this claim was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran had extensive leakage or complete loss of sphincter control prior to January 5, 2015, which are required for a higher rating. The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance was established after January 5, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- bowel impairment, radiculopathy of the right leg, rhegenic bladder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19161636
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 19161636.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and a separate disability rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right leg, while denying a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, radiculopathy of the right and left legs, and right and left knee strains due to a procedural error in docketing the appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 7, 2020, for the grant of service connection for multiple sclerosis with sleep apnea and related residuals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased rating claims for various disabilities.
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.