The Veteran's right rib pain condition was deemed to be an emergency requiring immediate medical attention due to the severity of his symptoms and concerns about potential spinal injury. The Board found that it would have been reasonable for a prudent layperson to seek medical care, but given the distance to VA facilities and the Veteran's inability to travel, he sought treatment at a non-VA hospital.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's severe right rib pain condition was deemed an emergency requiring immediate medical attention due to concerns about potential spinal injury and his inability to use home remedies or travel to nearby VA facilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Right rib pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2016
- Citation
- 1646278
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 1646278.
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
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- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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