The Veteran's emergency room visit at Smith Northview Hospital on October 7-8, 2013 was deemed necessary due to the sudden worsening of numbness and new symptoms like severe head pain and slurred speech. The closest VA facility was over 50 miles away, making it infeasible for immediate treatment.
The deciding factor: The condition warranted immediate medical attention as a prudent layperson would have recognized the risk of delay in seeking care due to the sudden worsening of numbness and new symptoms like severe head pain and slurred speech.
- Claimed conditions
- numbness in the face, severe head pain, slurred speech
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21013107
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 21013107.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a stroke, difficulty swallowing, vision disability, bilateral foot drop, memory loss, mental confusion, severe headaches, dizziness, slurred speech, and non-toxic thyroid enlargement as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to November 15, 2021, for DEA benefits was denied as he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements of having a permanent and total service-connected disability prior to that date.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service dates are not verified, which prevents a determination on his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to verify these dates.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal, including service connection claims and rating determinations.
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