The Veteran's rib pain, which was severe and potentially life-threatening, met the criteria for emergency treatment at a non-VA facility. The nearest VA facility was not feasibly available due to distance, and the Veteran did not have coverage under any health plan contract. Therefore, payment or reimbursement of the medical expenses is granted.
The deciding factor: The rib pain manifested severe symptoms that could result in serious harm if delayed, making it a condition requiring immediate attention as per 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002(b). The nearest VA facility was over 70 miles away and not feasibly available due to distance, meeting the criteria of 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002(c).
- Claimed conditions
- rib pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2015
- Citation
- 1514955
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 1514955.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD, back pain, cervical spine disability, and rib pain. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a conclusion that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded three issues: entitlement to separate compensation for shortness of breath and rib pain associated with service-connected pleural fibrosis, as well as the issue of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's respiratory conditions are currently rated at 50 percent combined. Additional development is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's symptoms and his service-connected conditions, as well as to determine whether he is unemployable.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by rib pain, finding that there is no evidence of current disability related to active service.
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