The Veteran's emergency medical treatment for a ruptured eardrum was approved because it met the criteria of an emergency, and despite having other health coverage (Medi-Cal), as long-term eligibility is not considered a bar to reimbursement under the Millennium Bill Act.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's decision to seek immediate medical attention based on internet research about potential brain injury due to a ruptured eardrum was reasonably prudent given the severity of his symptoms, and VA facilities were not immediately available.
- Claimed conditions
- Perforated eardrum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2014
- Citation
- 1400739
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 1400739.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a perforated eardrum, but has remanded the case for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has referred the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a perforated eardrum with related vertigo on an extraschedular basis to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for consideration.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a perforated eardrum, finding that there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking his claimed condition to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a perforated eardrum with related vertigo is denied as the disability picture is contemplated by the rating schedule and the assigned schedular rating is adequate.
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