The Board denied a higher rating for GERD with gallbladder removal and a compensable rating for surgical scars resulting from the gallbladder removal.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not rise to the level of severity required for a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) with gallbladder removal, Surgical scars, gallbladder removal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2024
- Citation
- A24065458
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical care related to ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, stroke, brain aneurysm, migraines, renal cysts, and gallbladder removal under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program due to a lack of adequate notice and development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for gallbladder removal as secondary to GERD and/or IBS due to an inadequate VA opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of gallstones and subsequent gallbladder removal to correct a duty to assist error, specifically the lack of a VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's gallstones are secondary to his service-connected appendectomy with adhesions and small bowel resection.
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