The Veteran's emergency room visit on March 3, 2014 for chronic cough and possible pneumonia was considered an emergency due to his symptoms. The VA facility in Oklahoma City was not feasibly available and seeking care at the nearest VA clinic did not result in immediate treatment. Therefore, payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's condition on March 3, 2014, met the criteria for an emergency as his symptoms were severe enough to place his health in serious jeopardy if delayed.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic cough, possible pneumonia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18147061
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 18147061.
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
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and a chronic cough are being remanded due to an error in providing notice of the right to a hearing before the RO.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cough disability was granted with an effective date of January 1, 2002. This decision is based on the addition of relevant service department records that were not considered in prior decisions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic cough, thus the appeal is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough, fatigue, chest pain, and dizzy spells are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that the Veteran should have been afforded an examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected esophageal cancer.
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