The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to a clear and unmistakable error in the October 1981 rating decision continuing denial of service connection for transverse myelitis. The evidence at that time did not support reopening the claim based on new and material evidence.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the October 1981 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as there was no clear error in weighing or evaluating Dr. Belok's statement regarding the veteran's back injury during service.
- Claimed conditions
- axonal polyneuropathy, transverse myelitis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2002
- Citation
- 0204669
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0204669.
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: Granted
The Board granted service connection for transverse myelitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to transverse myelitis, and urinary dysfunction secondary to transverse myelitis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for transverse myelitis was dismissed due to a procedural defect.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for transverse myelitis to be readjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's theory of entitlement, which involves treatment for a service-connected left shoulder condition, was not previously adjudicated.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his transverse myelitis with sarcoidosis was related to his military service or a service-connected disability and ultimately resulted in his death. The Board resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.
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