The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids was denied. A separate 30 percent rating for fecal incontinence from June 1, 2017, was granted.,A 30 percent disability rating for GERD from June 1, 2019, was granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated as noncompensable under DC 7336 due to the absence of large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with persistent bleeding and fissures. The symptoms of pain and minimal bleeding are contemplated under the 'moderate' hemorrhoid's symptoms listed in DC 7336.,The Veteran's GERD was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 1, 2019, due to less severe symptoms such as dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation. From June 1, 2019, the symptoms of substernal pain, arm/shoulder pain, and sleep disturbance were considered productive of considerable impairment of health, warranting a 30 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- hemorrhoids, GERD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 15, 2023
- Citation
- A23032301
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 A23032301.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion and a need for further examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted, and the appeal to restore a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc other than IVDS, central canal stenosis, and scoliosis prior to June 1, 2024 is dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches was granted with an effective date of August 28, 2014.,Service connection for eczema was granted with an effective date of August 10, 2022. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but the request was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his accidental drowning death.
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