The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel payment for ambulance transportation expenses incurred on October 17, 2023 was denied due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ is required to obtain and associate relevant records including the original claim for reimbursement of the ambulance transportation expenses, VA clinical records from the Roane County VA CBOC, medical records from the Roane County Hospital ER, and the September 12, 2024 HLR decision. The AOJ should also consider whether the Veteran meets the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.
The deciding factor: The AOJ failed to obtain all relevant records necessary to substantiate the Veteran's claim, which constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2024
- Citation
- A24082598
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 A24082598.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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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