The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability associated with multiple abdominal surgeries performed by VA in March 2014, finding that the residuals were not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the complications experienced by the Veteran after his surgeries were foreseeable and did not constitute a deviation from the standard of care.
- Claimed conditions
- Abdominal Hernias, Gallstones, Duodenal Leak, Pneumonia, Sepsis, Kidney Failure, Tracheal Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22006843
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 22006843.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of the listed causes were related to his military service and no service-connected disability contributed to his death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted the appellant's petition to readjudicate her claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran's death due to new and relevant evidence. However, the case is remanded as the AOJ must consider the merits of the claim on its own.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of a presumptive relationship to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hematemesis, hyperekplexia (hyperlexia), bleeding esophagus, erectile dysfunction, gallstones, hepatomegaly and hepatic steatosis, pancreatitis, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's mental health issues are related to service, but the claims for these conditions will be remanded for a new VA examination.
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.