The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at St. Mary's Hospital was for a bona fide emergency and the Veteran clearly identified his wish to be transferred to the VA Medical Center (VAMC). The VAMC provided beds as soon as they became available, and the Veteran was transferred expeditiously. As there are no alternative insurers or other third-party payers, the Veteran is personally responsible for the cost of treatment at St. Mary's Hospital.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's decision to seek emergency treatment at St. Mary's Hospital rather than drive to the VAMC was reasonably prudent given his history of heart trouble and the availability of beds at the VAMC as soon as they became available.
- Claimed conditions
- heart trouble
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2009
- Citation
- 0940172
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 0940172.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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