The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran claims he suffered additional disability as a result of gallbladder surgeries conducted at a VA hospital, but there are conflicting medical records regarding which procedure caused his current condition.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient evidence to determine whether either procedure caused the Veteran's current right flank pain and other conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- cholelithiasis, sphincterotomy, cholecystectomy, right flank pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18123692
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 18123692.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were withdrawn, and his claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant higher ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for urinary frequency, as secondary to hypertension and non-service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The other claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The claim for TDIU was raised and must be adjudicated again.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for cholecystectomy and stomach condition, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
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