The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Francis Hospital from December 11, through December 18, 1991 is denied as the VA staff physician determined that his condition was non-emergent when he was transferred to St. Francis Hospital and he could have sought treatment at a VA facility.
The deciding factor: The VA staff physician determined that the veteran's condition was non-emergent when he was transferred to St. Francis Hospital, making it feasible for him to seek treatment at a VA facility instead of being hospitalized at St. Francis Hospital.
- Claimed conditions
- paraplegia of the lower extremities, loss of use of both upper extremities, residuals of a right scapula fracture, scalp wound, tracheostomy and right hemothorax
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2000
- Citation
- 0030057
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 0030057.
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 the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA aid and attendance/housebound examination to determine whether the Veteran is in need of aid and attendance from another individual.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was not service connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both upper extremities have been dismissed due to her death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the veteran's post-operative conditions, including paraplegia of the lower extremities, loss of bowel sphincter control, neurogenic bladder, and amputation of the right lower extremity, resulted from the May 1990 laminectomy performed by VA. The Board concludes that these additional disabilities are not necessary consequences of the surgical treatment provided.
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