The Board dismissed the case for service connection of hypothyroidism as it had been granted in a previous decision. The irritable bowel syndrome was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective June 12, 2015. Hemorrhoids were rated at 20 percent prior to June 12, 2015 and the impairment of sphincter control associated with hemorrhoids received a separate 10 percent rating as of that date.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome more nearly approximated severe symptoms (diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation) warranting a 30 percent rating. The impairment of sphincter control associated with hemorrhoids was rated at 10 percent as it met criteria for occasional leakage necessitating use of a pad.
- Claimed conditions
- hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, impairment of sphincter control
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19179074
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and denied compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and hypertension.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism, as it is presumptively linked to herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypothyroidism and remanded the claim for service connection for lipomas (claimed as cysts surgery).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headache disorder, erectile dysfunction, left earache disorder, chronic fatigue, right shoulder disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, right foot disorder, GERD, and left shoulder disorder, as the evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.
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