The Veteran's treatment at KRMC on August 16, 2016 was neither pre-authorized by VA nor provided for a medical emergency. Therefore, payment or reimbursement of the expenses is denied.
The deciding factor: The treatment was not pre-authorized and did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment as per VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Cholecystitis, Gallbladder problems
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21021373
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21021373.
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 claim for a separate grant of service connection for GERD, as a residual of her cholecystectomy, is granted effective May 19, 2024. The claims for increased ratings for cholecystectomy residuals and esophageal spasms are remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic insufficiency and gastroesophageal reflux disease, including gallbladder issues, has been granted a 100% rating effective November 19, 2024.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding VA's obligation to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of IBS, abdominal scars, and TDIU prior to specific dates were denied.,The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions on July 14, 2016.
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.