The Board finds that the veteran's current disability, both gastrointestinal and cardiovascular in nature, is linked to surgical procedures or other treatment rendered by VA in 2001. However, there is no evidence of fault on the part of VA, thus denying compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that while the veteran's complications were linked to his surgeries, a showing of fault on the part of VA has not been established by the competent evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of hemicolectomy, colostomy, lower gastrointestinal disability, heart disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 2, 2007
- Citation
- 0713032
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0713032.
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: Granted
The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection effective August 10, 2022. The heart disability was granted secondary to the hypertension.,An initial rating of 30% for the heart disability was granted in May 2023 and increased to 60% since October 22, 2024.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a colostomy disability is denied as the earliest possible effective date, August 10, 2022, was granted due to the PACT Act. The July 2013 rating decision denying service connection was not appealed within one year and thus became final.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 2, 2020, for the award of service connection for colostomy, ileostomy, rectal vaginal fistula, and small bowel obstruction (SBO) surgery was denied as there was no new and material evidence received within one year of the issuance of the December 2013 decision.
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.