{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/rectum-and-anus-impairment-of-sphincter-control","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:28.075Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Rectum and anus impairment of sphincter control","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":711,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":32.6,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":35.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":51.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":56,"granted_pct":26.8,"denied_pct":30.4,"remanded_pct":37.5},{"year":2018,"issues":75,"granted_pct":29.3,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":32},{"year":2019,"issues":84,"granted_pct":29.8,"denied_pct":23.8,"remanded_pct":44},{"year":2020,"issues":78,"granted_pct":33.3,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":29.5},{"year":2021,"issues":82,"granted_pct":28,"denied_pct":28,"remanded_pct":42.7},{"year":2022,"issues":78,"granted_pct":34.6,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":29.5},{"year":2023,"issues":83,"granted_pct":34.9,"denied_pct":28.9,"remanded_pct":34.9},{"year":2024,"issues":76,"granted_pct":28.9,"denied_pct":36.8,"remanded_pct":32.9},{"year":2025,"issues":75,"granted_pct":40,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":28},{"year":2026,"issues":42,"granted_pct":38.1,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":35.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":63.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":101,"granted_pct_with":70.2,"granted_pct_without":47},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":453,"granted_pct_with":47.4,"granted_pct_without":62.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":101,"granted_pct_with":74.4,"granted_pct_without":46.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":265,"granted_pct_with":39.7,"granted_pct_without":60.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":219,"granted_pct_with":60.3,"granted_pct_without":46.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":61,"granted_pct_with":65.1,"granted_pct_without":49.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":556,"granted_pct_with":49.6,"granted_pct_without":60.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":9},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":5},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":4},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":3},{"reason":"frequent involuntary bowel movements","decisions":3},{"reason":"criteria for 60 percent rating met","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":18},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":16},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":16},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":14},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":12},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":8}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26037971","year":2026,"judge":"M. HYLAND","rationale":"Favorable findings of in-service event and positive nexus opinion; Evidence of current diagnosis and in-service rectal pain; Relative equipoise on nexus, resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26034712","year":2026,"judge":"J. NICHOLS","rationale":"Resolving doubt in Veteran's favor; Symptoms fit criteria for 60% rating under revised DC 7332; Incontinence two or more times per week requiring pad use"},{"case_id":"A26033812","year":2026,"judge":"ARDIE A. BLAND","rationale":"Symptoms more closely approximate criteria for 60% rating under DC 7332.; Resolving reasonable doubt in veteran's favor.; Lay statements and private medical opinion support extensive leakage and frequent involuntary bowel movements."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26036837","year":2026,"judge":"H.M. WALKER","rationale":"No current diagnosis of rectal disability.; Veteran declined examination of the rectal area.; No objective evidence found for diagnosis."},{"case_id":"26004217","year":2026,"judge":"W. DAKNIS","rationale":"Incontinence two or more times per day; Requires pad changes two or more times per day; Amended criteria applied favorably"},{"case_id":"A26030325","year":2026,"judge":"R. BISIGNANI","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for bowel incontinence; No etiological connection to service; Secondary claim to TBI failed as TBI not service-connected"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}