The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on June 9, 2014 is denied because the treatment was not for a service-connected disability or an emergency condition that would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed. The nearest VA facility was available and the Veteran could have received the necessary care at his scheduled appointment.
The deciding factor: The medical expenses were incurred for suture removal, which did not constitute an emergent situation as there is no indication of a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
- Claimed conditions
- nonservice-connected disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2018
- Citation
- 18101612
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18101612.
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 Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Sacred Heart Riverbend Medical Center and Physicians from May 4, 2013 to May 7, 2013 are granted as the treatment was for a nonservice-connected disability and he could not have been safely transferred to a VA facility prior to discharge.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital between April 25, 2013 and April 29, 2013 was denied as he did not receive prior authorization from VA and his treatment was not related to a service-connected disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for a nonservice-connected disability on January 8, 2013 at the St. Claire Regional Medical Center are covered by VA.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility was denied as the claim was not filed within 90 days after discharge and there were no third-party claims made.
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