The Veteran's gallbladder removal is denied as not related to his service-connected abdominal surgeries. The Veteran's postoperative residuals of abdominal surgeries, including recurrent ventral hernia, are currently rated at 50%.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the gallbladder removal was due to gallstones and not related to his service-connected postoperative residuals of abdominal surgeries.
- Claimed conditions
- gallbladder removal, post-operative residuals appendectomy with fibrosarcoma, post-operative recurrent ventral hernia, intra-peritoneal adhesions, pain along the ilio-inguinal nerve distribution, hydrocelectomy with right femoral hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- July 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18118171
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 18118171.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary records.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of July 3, 2023. This decision is based on the liberalizing law from the PACT Act and the fact that all service-connected disabilities contributing to TDIU arose from a common etiology (toxic exposure risk activities).
- Denied
The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for cholelithiasis with subsequent gallbladder removal is denied as she has not been shown to have moderate cholecystitis or mild symptoms resulting from the procedure.
- 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.
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