The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized, non-VA medical expenses incurred at Mercy Medical Center on May 13, 2018. The decision is based on the Veteran's belief that a delay in treatment would have been hazardous to his health.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran believed a delay in seeking immediate medical attention was hazardous to his life or health and that no VA facility was feasibly available, meeting the criteria for emergency treatment under 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal discomfort, Chills, Dysuria, Constipation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23054056
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 23054056.
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: Granted
The Veteran's GERD with constipation is rated at 30 percent effective September 3, 2024. Prior to this date, the rating was 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of opinion regarding whether the Veteran's IBS is related to his service, specifically Gulf War exposure. The VA will schedule an examination and provide an updated medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the (o) rate based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions. He also meets the criteria for SMC at the (r)(1) level due to need for regular aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal for all issues related to disability ratings for various service-connected conditions.
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