The Board finds that the Veteran was experiencing a medical emergency on January 31, 2009 when he sought treatment at Baptist Medical Center South. The appeal is granted as payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms increased in severity over the weekend and included both cardiovascular and GERD symptoms, leading to a medical emergency that was not immediately recognized by VA facilities.
- Claimed conditions
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), Cardiovascular symptoms, Severe pain in chest and upper abdomen
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 17, 2013
- Citation
- 1319474
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 1319474.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and IBS/GERD were denied as there was no evidence of severe health impairment or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's stomach disability. The VA will obtain an addendum opinion from a gastroenterologist to address whether the Veteran's stomach condition is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water and umbilical hernia repair.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD, previously rated as noncompensable, is now rated at 10 percent effective August 30, 2023. The rating reflects the Veteran's symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and GERD, as it found no evidence of such disabilities in service or related to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The Board also noted that any current gastrointestinal issues are not linked to service-connected conditions.
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