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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1824700.
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).
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- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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