The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses associated with a power wheelchair, citing lack of statutory authority and provisions under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1714(a).
The deciding factor: The denial was based on the exclusion in the regulation of transportation expenses for prosthetic appliances, similar devices, and repairs.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of use of both feet, impairment of sphincter control, chronic cystitis, paralysis of the upper radicular nerve group
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 10, 2009
- Citation
- 0942956
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 0942956.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the use of a manual wheelchair during the 2022 calendar year due to wear and tear on his clothing caused by the wheelchair.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pruritus ani, hemorrhoids, and impairment of sphincter control are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for sleep apnea was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.
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