The Veteran's rectal fistula was granted a 10 percent rating from March 30, 2014, and a 30 percent rating from May 10, 2018. The Board denied entitlement to a higher rating for the condition as of September 23, 2022.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to extensive leakage or frequent involuntary bowel movements.
- Claimed conditions
- rectal fistula
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2023
- Citation
- 23013990
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 23013990.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected rectal fistula has worsened, requiring him to wear two pairs of underwear and a pad for drainage. The Board finds the March 2020 VA examination inadequate as it did not discuss the Veteran’s flare-ups, and the case is remanded for another examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure of the Veteran to provide necessary private medical records. The claim will be returned for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation was remanded due to the lack of loss of use in either lower extremity. The effective date for increased rating Crohn's disease remains January 15, 2008.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's rectal fistula, status post tear repair is granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent. The Veteran's rectum scar associated with rectal fistula status post tear repair is granted a compensable disability rating of 10 percent.
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.