The VA denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical treatment due to the absence of a medical emergency and because VA facilities were not feasibly unavailable.
The deciding factor: VA determined that there was no medical emergency necessitating the use of non-VA services, as evidenced by the VAMC's opinion and a review by a VA physician who found no evidence of an emergency.
- Claimed conditions
- irritable colon
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2002
- Citation
- 0218495
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 0218495.
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 determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the case is being remanded for further adjudication, including determining whether the Veteran meets the criteria for PCAFC eligibility and if he requires personal care services.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claim for service connection for sun avoidance was denied. The claim for IBS was dismissed due to procedural issues, and the claim for gynecomastia was remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's irritable colon was found to have its onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.
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