The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for spinal injury with paralysis, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.
The deciding factor: The evidence submitted was found to be cumulative or duplicative of previous records and did not provide a clear link between the current disability and service.
- Claimed conditions
- spinal injury, paralysis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2003
- Citation
- 0320391
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 0320391.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and insufficient notice under VA regulations. The eligibility for the PCAFC program is being reviewed, with a focus on whether the Veteran requires personal care services, supervision or protection.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for complete atrophy of the testis and spinal injury due to the lack of a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year of the rating decisions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, hand, leg, ankle, paralysis, hypertension, tuberculosis, eye, hernia, and vertigo, as there was no evidence of current disability or a nexus to service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death before filing an appeal to the Board.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.