The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized, non-VA medical expenses incurred at the University of Washington Medical Center on August 23, 2008. The treatment was not deemed to meet the criteria for emergency treatment as defined by VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate that the condition necessitating the private treatment was such that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health.
- Claimed conditions
- dehydration, heat exhaustion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2015
- Citation
- 1548138
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 1548138.
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: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's heat exhaustion, including its residuals, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including tinnitus, enuresis, right foot injury, left foot injury, hernia surgery, heat exhaustion, and hearing loss. The Veteran's request to withdraw these claims was granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, dehydration, prediabetes, headaches, a sleep disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, painful urination, erectile dysfunction, right and left knee disorders, flat feet, and a right toe disability. The remand is due to the failure to provide notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing before the AOJ.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.
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