The Veteran's GERD and fecal incontinence are currently rated at 30 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions as there was no evidence of symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s GERD and fecal incontinence were evaluated based on their current assigned ratings and did not meet criteria for higher evaluations due to lack of specific symptomatology supporting such an increase.
- Claimed conditions
- Irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Fecal incontinence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20079222
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20079222.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a bladder disability and fecal incontinence as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity weakness, residual of stroke/TIA associated with diabetes mellitus type II.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea (OSA), and fecal incontinence. The appeals for secondary service connection are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and readjudication, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's fecal incontinence is secondary or aggravated by his radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) to the Director, VA Compensation Service.
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