The Board has determined that the Veteran's anal disability, including anal fissure, anal pain, and anal fistula, is at least as likely as not related to service. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's impaired sphincter control is at least as likely as not related to service based on his medical records showing rectal bleeding and treatment during service.
- Claimed conditions
- anal fissure, anal pain, anal fistula
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21032877
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 21032877.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's daughter, including a claim for anal fistula, right knee injury residuals, left ear hearing loss, and valvular heart disease. The decision also notes that no fiduciary was appointed on behalf of the Appellant due to her adoption.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anal fistula, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his service-connected GERD and the development of the anal fistula. The Board also noted that the Veteran had not been diagnosed with any other conditions such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
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.