The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at St. Luke’s Woodlands in Houston, Texas from April 29, 2015 through May 6, 2015 are denied as the treatment was not for a condition of such severity that it would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed, and VA facilities were feasibly available.
The deciding factor: The medical care provided did not meet the criteria for emergency services under 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002 as there was no evidence of a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
- Claimed conditions
- Small bowel obstruction, Pancreatic mass
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18154178
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 18154178.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of her small bowel obstruction with colon polyps secondary to scar tissue status post hysterectomy was granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination or medical opinion addressing this claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's small bowel obstruction with exploratory laparoscopy and lysis of adhesions is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal involves his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 due to medical care provided by the VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas from September 2011 to March 2013. The Board has determined that further development is necessary and a new examination is required.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for a scar on the abdomen was denied, and his small bowel obstruction was granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's PTSD was denied an increased disability rating higher than 50 percent.
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