The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for cholecystitis and post-operative residuals of gallbladder removal, as well as increased ratings for his right knee and left patella disabilities. The issues regarding the appropriate disability ratings for these conditions are more appropriately characterized.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 11, 2011, for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, status-post arthroscopic surgery.
- Claimed conditions
- cholecystitis, post-operative residuals of gallbladder removal, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, status-post arthroscopic surgery, chondromalacia of the left patella
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2013
- Citation
- 1319277
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 1319277.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and a need for further medical opinions regarding whether pain medications used for service-connected low back disability caused or aggravated gallbladder disability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cholecystitis and cholecystectomy as the evidence did not support a link to the Veteran's active military service or his service-connected hepatitis C.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's appendicitis and cholecystitis are related to VA treatment in November/December 2011, including any fault or negligence on the part of VA.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical services on October 13, 2014 at Avera McKennan Hospital was denied as VA could not perform the necessary treatment and there was no prior authorization. The Board found that the follow-up procedure was a continuation of his emergency treatment.
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