The Veteran's severe stomach cramps/constipation due to his service-connected disabilities constituted a medical emergency of such nature that he could reasonably conclude delay would have been hazardous to life or health. The closest VA facility was not feasibly available, and the Board grants entitlement to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's severe stomach cramps/constipation due to his service-connected disabilities constituted a medical emergency of such nature that he could reasonably conclude delay would have been hazardous to life or health, given the distance and time required to reach a VA facility.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis, injury of the bladder, paralysis of the right median nerve, paralysis of the left median nerve, major depressive disorder, impaired vision
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2010
- Citation
- 1034509
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 1034509.
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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