The Board has determined that payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred due to non-VA treatment at Aultman Hospital (AH) on March 19, 2013 is granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran's condition was such that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his health and an attempt to use the nearest VA medical facility at that time would not have been considered reasonable by a prudent layperson.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence supported the Veteran's claim as it indicated significant neurological symptoms, including right-sided weakness and inability to move parts of his body, which were assessed as very serious by the treating physician. The Board also determined that seeking treatment at AH was reasonable given the nearness of the facility and the lack of availability at a VA medical center.
- Claimed conditions
- Right-sided weakness, Profound weakness of the right side
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18120591
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 18120591.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right-sided weakness, abdominal numbness, and loss of use of the right hand are deemed to be a result of receiving an influenza vaccine in October 2003. The VA is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for these conditions.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's right-sided weakness and back pain are not attributable to VA-administered lumbar punctures in 1989, as his current conditions are considered to be related to other factors such as degenerative disc disease.
- Denied
The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital were denied because VA facilities were feasibly available and prior authorization was not obtained.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.