The Veteran's service-connected fecal incontinence is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if he also has hemorrhoids secondary to his fecal incontinence. Other claims are also being remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's fecal incontinence warrants a 30 percent rating based on its frequency of occurrence (four times per month requiring use of absorbent material). The Board found the evidence insufficient to support higher ratings, and other secondary service connection issues need further examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Fecal Incontinence, Hemorrhoids (contended as secondary to fecal incontinence), Right Foot Plantar Fascial Fibromatosis with Calcaneal Spur, Radiculopathy of the Sciatic Nerve of the Right Lower Extremity, Radiculopathy of the Femoral Nerve of the Right Lower Extremity, Migraine and Tension Headaches, Left Knee Strain, Pained Motion, Right Knee Strain, Pained Motion
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2026
- Citation
- A26000511
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 A26000511.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary disability, claimed as urinary incontinence, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a fecal incontinence disability, including as secondary to a pelvic floor disability, is remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a 60 percent rating for fecal incontinence was granted. The effective date of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status is set at February 26, 2020. The earlier effective date for service connection for fecal incontinence prior to August 16, 2019, is denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected PTSD and somatic symptom disorder, and for migraine and tension headaches as secondary to the now-service-connected OSA.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not currently demonstrate an actual need for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
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.