The Board denied the Veteran's claim for medical reimbursement at WVU Hospitals due to lack of preauthorization and because VA facilities were feasibly available, and there was no evidence of a medical emergency requiring immediate care.
The deciding factor: The Board found that while the Veteran had a service-connected hip condition, the need for immediate treatment did not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. § 1728 due to lack of preauthorization and feasible availability of VA facilities.
- Claimed conditions
- hip pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20071265
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 20071265.
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: Denied
The Veteran's child is not eligible for VA benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for spina bifida because the evidence does not support a diagnosis of this condition.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all claimed conditions, including neck pain, PTSD, dry, irritated eyes, flat feet and plantar fasciitis, headaches, hip pain, a respiratory disability, shortness of breath, and a sinus disability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder and hysterectomy (previously rated as disease or injury of the uterus) were granted, while other claims for service connection were remanded. An increased rating to 30 percent was also granted for the hysterectomy.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney disease, while denying service connection for a low back disability, hip pain, and a neurobehavioral disorder. The claim for a gastrointestinal disability was remanded for further consideration.
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