The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred for emergency treatment at a non-VA facility from December 27, 2010 through December 31, 2011 are denied as the preponderance of evidence shows that seeking VA care beforehand would have been considered reasonable by a prudent layperson.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not attempt to seek VA treatment prior to his admission to St. Cloud Hospital for emergency medical services due to a heart attack.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart attack, Atrial fibrillation, Postoperative atrial fibrillation complicated by stroke
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2018
- Citation
- 1813867
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 1813867.
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).
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