The Veteran's treatment at a private medical facility for his right index finger injury was not authorized in advance by VA, and the Board finds that it did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under either Section 1725 or 1728 of the law. The appeal is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's treatment at a private medical facility was not for a medical emergency, and VA facilities were feasibly available to provide the care instead.
- Claimed conditions
- right index finger injury
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 26, 2012
- Citation
- 1243744
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1243744.
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: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC), due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities related to service or functional impairment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various hand injuries due to issues with the competency of a VA examiner and the need for an addendum opinion regarding functional equivalent of ankylosis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand three issues related to service connection and disability ratings for the Veteran's conditions. The VA will need to review additional treatment records before making a decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left and right index finger injuries. The VA must obtain additional evidence and provide another opinion.
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