The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 11, 2015 and May 19, 2015 because the Veteran did not owe money to the provider, VA facilities were feasibly available, and his toenails debridement was not an emergency requiring immediate attention.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the medical care provided by a private podiatrist was not rendered in an emergency department or similar facility holding out as providing emergency care. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment, and VA facilities were available to provide the necessary care.
- Claimed conditions
- onychomycosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18116064
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 18116064.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected toenail disabilities and service connection for lumbosacral strain, joint pain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the listed conditions in April 2024 and March 2025, thus dismissing the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's onychomycosis is rated under the old criteria and remanded for further development to determine if systemic therapy, such as fluconazole, is similar to corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs.
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