The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a gallbladder removal as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected esophageal cancer and GERD, assigning a noncompensable rating.
The deciding factor: The examiner indicated that the development of asymptomatic gallstones were an incidental finding on evaluation of the Veteran's esophageal conditions, and that the subsequent gallbladder removal was performed as a therapeutic and concomitant procedure of his esophagectomy. The Board found this opinion to be the most probative in establishing secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a gallbladder removal
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23022063
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 23022063.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 30 percent for the residuals of a gallbladder removal is granted, effective August 10, 2022. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to insufficient examination details.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC at the intermediate rate based on need for aid and attendance with additional service-connected disabilities combining to 50 percent or more is granted. The claims for higher rates of SMC, total schedular ratings for loss of use of both hands and feet are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to issues with the duty to assist and inadequate statements of reasons or bases.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder, esophageal cancer, and residuals of a gallbladder removal due to unresolved medical opinions regarding potential exposure to Agent Orange, asbestos, and oil fumes during service.
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