The Board found that the Veteran's right ear condition on October 2, 2015 was of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to her health. The VA facility was not feasibly available and an attempt to use one beforehand would not have been considered reasonable by a prudent layperson.
The deciding factor: The Board found the Veteran's assertions of the severity of her right ear pain and its effects, as well as her concerns about it, credible given the supporting documentation and the VA nurse's advice to visit an ER.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18154331
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 18154331.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for his service-connected right ear condition requiring convalescence is denied. The Board found that the criteria for convalescence were not met as there was no evidence of severe post-operative residuals or prolonged hospitalization.
- Denied
The Board denied compensation benefits for a right ear condition due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or other instance of fault on the part of VA. The Veteran's complications were not caused by such instances and were reasonably foreseeable.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is REMANDED for further action, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for a right ear condition due to lack of new and material evidence.
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