The Veterans Review and Appeal Board upheld a 2019 Veterans Affairs decision to deny disability benefits to a 50-year-old RCMP officer after a severe abdominal injury required surgery.

The officer, who is not named, had been on the force since 2008. While working in 2016 as a general duty officer for the Quesnel RCMP, the officer suffered severe abdominal pain and distention to the point that he could not put his duty belt back on. He began to feel a fever, chills and severe pain. His family doctor referred him to a surgeon.

A CT scan showed a perforation in the large intestine and he underwent two emergency surgeries, used a colostomy bag for four months and had colostomy reversal surgery.

“Currently on gradual return to work plan for work with limited hours. Possible hernia will always be a concern if/when I return to full duty,” said his submission.

He was diagnosed with Perforated Diverticulosis, but Veterans Affairs Canada found it was not directly related to his work. In the July appeal decision, published in October, the board agreed that physical activity and compressive clothing or gear caused him pain an discomfort.

The board found evidence of a direct link insufficient.

“However, regrettably, the panel is unable to conclude that the applicant’s claimed condition of Perforated Diverticulosis arose out of, is directly related to or is aggravated by his service in the RCMP,” said the decision.