The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether VA's negligence in prescribing Tramadol and iron led to the Veteran's gallbladder removal. The case is being returned for an adequate opinion from a VA clinician.
The deciding factor: The opinions provided were not sufficiently tailored to address the specific issues raised by the Veteran, including the combined effects of tramadol and iron on her gallbladder condition.
- Claimed conditions
- gallbladder disability, ultimate removal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26004030
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 A26004030.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hysterectomy is denied as her hysterectomy was not related to her active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and a need for further medical opinions regarding whether pain medications used for service-connected low back disability caused or aggravated gallbladder disability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for gallbladder disability, pre-cancer polyps and colon problems, and dental condition, but granted a 40 percent rating for right shoulder injury and a 30 percent rating for right elbow disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left and right foot but denied service connection for a gallbladder disability.
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