The Board found that the plastic object removed during the March 2004 VA colonoscopy was not consistent with equipment used in the procedure and less likely as not caused by the VA treatment. The small bowel obstruction resulting from the foreign body was considered a natural progression of Crohn's disease, and the Veteran did not provide evidence showing that the event was unforeseeable.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the plastic object found during surgery in June 2004 was more likely due to ingestion rather than being left behind from the March 2004 colonoscopy. The small bowel obstruction and subsequent resection were considered a natural progression of Crohn's disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Crohn's disease, small bowel obstruction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 2, 2010
- Citation
- 1007790
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 1007790.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for Crohn's disease and denied service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and low back condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for Crohn's disease to correct duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis, small bowel obstruction, to include small bowel perforation, status post left hemicolectomy, Hartman's pouch and ileostomy (bowel condition), as well as right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for an adequate addendum opinion that addresses the June 2021 private medical opinion regarding the Veteran's symptoms related to his service-connected conditions.
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