The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility due to abdominal pain was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency services under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's abdominal pain, while uncomfortable, was not severe enough to constitute a medical emergency requiring immediate attention and she had previously been seen at VA facilities for similar complaints without needing urgent care.
- Claimed conditions
- Abdominal Pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2015
- Citation
- 1511560
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1511560.
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 an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and a higher rating for migraines, and remanded claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, abdominal pain, and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's TBI is service-connected. The remaining issues of abdominal pain, bilateral foot disorder, epididymitis infection, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, and left hand numbness are remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further investigation and clarification of her incarceration status, as well as an audit of her pension account. Additionally, there is a need to ensure proper notification regarding her right to appeal the overpayment of $18,692.07 in pension benefits.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board finds that the Veteran's medical condition was of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to their life or health. The criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on November 23, 2015 are met.
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