The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency treatment of a severe hand infection at Florida Hospital Flagler were approved due to the severity and urgency of his condition, as well as the unavailability of VA facilities within a reasonable distance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms warranted immediate medical attention given the severity of his hand swelling and pain, which prevented him from driving. The closest VA facility was over 60 miles away, making it unreasonable for him to attempt treatment there.
- Claimed conditions
- left hand cellulitis, infection
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2015
- Citation
- 1552229
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 1552229.
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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