The Veteran's claims for hepatitis and hemorrhoids were denied. The claim for hemorrhoids was reopened, but not granted. The Veteran's eye conditions (refractive error, blepharitis, dry eye, and cataracts) are not service-connected as they did not begin during service or are not related to the in-service injury of a fractured left zygomatic arch. His rating for residuals of a fractured left zygomatic arch prior to September 10, 2017 is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's eye conditions were not found to be related to his service-connected fracture of the left zygomatic arch and are considered unrelated to service or service-connected injuries. The rating for residuals of a fractured left zygomatic arch prior to September 10, 2017 is denied as there was no additional disability that would warrant an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis, Hemorrhoids, Refractive Error of the Left Eye, Left Eye Blepharitis and Dry Eye, Left Eye Cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19180175
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 837 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19180175.
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 Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his hemorrhoids, so the case is dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the evidence did not show large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrence.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted higher levels of SMC and aid and attendance special monthly compensation effective May 3, 2024, due to his service-connected conditions that require regular aid and assistance.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and a separate rating of 10 percent for pruritus ani is partially granted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable code, including revised Diagnostic Code 7336.
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.