The Board denied reimbursement or payment for the cost of private medical care provided to the veteran at McKennan Hospital from July 7 to [redacted], 1996, due to lack of a medical emergency and because VA facilities were feasibly available.
The deciding factor: The veteran's condition was terminal and he did not meet all criteria for reimbursement or payment under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 17.120.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative residuals of a fistula of the bladder, traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, anorectal prolapse, residuals of wounds of the right sacral area, left buttock and left leg
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2000
- Citation
- 0000602
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0000602.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two issues: a compensable rating for the right thumb disability and a rating in excess of 20 percent for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine. The case is sent back to the RO for initial review.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder and traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of March 7, 2012. The Board granted this claim on appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected low back disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, and separate evaluation for limitation of motion (left knee) were denied. The Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine prior to November 20, 2015, and a 10 percent rating thereafter.
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