The Board has granted a compensable rating (10%) for the Veteran's residual scar from an appendectomy and found that his chronic abdominal pain, distension, and bowel disturbance are not service-connected.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's appendectomy scar became painful, warranting a higher rating. However, there was no credible link between his current gastrointestinal symptoms and his in-service appendectomy.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual scar from appendectomy, Chronic abdominal pain, Abdominal distension, Bowel disturbance
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 10, 2023
- Citation
- 23008863
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 23008863.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and tinnitus, while denying service connection for various other disabilities including the right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, heart, respiratory, kidney, venous thrombosis, urinary hesitancy, acute metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep disturbance, abdominal distension, atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, neurological disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile dysfunction, stroke, skin disability, fibromyalgia, bilateral foot pain, hammer toes, tinea pedis, meningitis, GERD, traumatic brain injury, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anxiety and several musculoskeletal issues. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.
- Denied
The Board denied compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The Veteran's symptoms of chronic abdominal pain are noted, and a VA examination is required to determine if these symptoms are related to his military service or service-connected PTSD.
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