The Board has determined that the Veteran's treatment at NBCH on February 10, 2014 was emergent and met all criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses. The condition was deemed to be a serious health risk due to a history of hernia complications.
The deciding factor: The emergency nature of the Veteran's symptoms (weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain) and the perceived risk of a strangulated hernia led to an emergent need for treatment at NBCH, which is closer than the VA facility. The Veteran was advised by his local VA facility to seek care at NBCH.
- Claimed conditions
- Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2018
- Citation
- 1824700
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 1824700.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services as his vocational goal of becoming a scuba instructor was not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hernia is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter at issue in the claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.
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.