The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids, and bilateral knee arthritis have been granted service connection. The back pain and PFB claims are denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established for the acquired psychiatric disorder due to credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and a VA medical opinion linking current symptoms to service. Service connection was also granted for hemorrhoids, as there is corroborated evidence of an in-service stressor and no clear and convincing evidence against it. The back pain and PFB claims were denied because the Veteran did not provide credible supporting evidence of an in-service injury or event related to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (to include other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (OSTSRD) and anxiety), Hemorrhoids, Scoliosis with back pain, Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), claimed as shaving bumps under the neck, Right knee osteoarthritis status post knee replacement (right knee arthritis), Left knee osteoarthritis status post knee replacement (left knee arthritis)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26033227
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 A26033227.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his hemorrhoids, so the case is dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the evidence did not show large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrence.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted higher levels of SMC and aid and attendance special monthly compensation effective May 3, 2024, due to his service-connected conditions that require regular aid and assistance.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and a separate rating of 10 percent for pruritus ani is partially granted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable code, including revised Diagnostic Code 7336.
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