The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Bethesda Memorial Hospital from January 5, 2010 to January 12, 2010 are eligible for reimbursement as the treatment was necessary due to an emergent gastrointestinal condition and VA facilities were not feasibly available.
The deciding factor: VA determined that the Veteran's condition required immediate medical attention due to a serious threat to his health and safety, and no feasible alternative care was available from VA facilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Small bowel obstruction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2014
- Citation
- 1403377
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 1403377.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of her small bowel obstruction with colon polyps secondary to scar tissue status post hysterectomy was granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination or medical opinion addressing this claim.
- Granted
The Veteran's small bowel obstruction with exploratory laparoscopy and lysis of adhesions is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal involves his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 due to medical care provided by the VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas from September 2011 to March 2013. The Board has determined that further development is necessary and a new examination is required.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for a scar on the abdomen was denied, and his small bowel obstruction was granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's PTSD was denied an increased disability rating higher than 50 percent.
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