17.100—Refusal of treatment by unnecessarily breaking appointments.
A patient under medical treatment who breaks an appointment without a reasonable excuse will be informed that breaking an additional appointment will be deemed to be a refusal to accept VA treatment. If such a patient fails to keep a second appointment, without at least 24 hours notice, such action will be deemed as a refusal to accept VA treatment. Thereafter, no further treatment will be furnished until the veteran has agreed to cooperate by keeping appointments. Treatment will not be discontinued until the treating physician has reviewed the treatment files, concurred in the action and signed a statement to this effect in the record. Consideration will be given to the veteran's ability to make a rational decision concerning the need for medical care and/or examination. The veteran will be advised of the final decision. Nothing in this section will be construed to prevent treatment for an emergent condition that may arise during or subsequent to this action. Where an appointment is broken without notice and satisfactory reasons are advanced for breaking the appointment and circumstances were such that notice could not be given, the patient will not be deemed to have refused treatment.