The Board found that the reduction in ratings for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a vertebral fracture was warranted due to sustained, material improvement in his condition. However, the requirements for restoration were not met.
The deciding factor: There was objective evidence demonstrating sustained, material improvement in the severity of the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured vertebra, including improvements in the use of his lower extremities and creative organ.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of use of both lower extremities, neurogenic bowel, loss of sexual function, loss of motor function in the middle and lower chest area, vertebral fracture with cord involvement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2006
- Citation
- 0604704
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for neurogenic bowel and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including dizziness, degenerative changes and spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bronchiolitis, GERD, migraine headaches, neurogenic bowel, and sleep apnea.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for neurogenic bowel due to an incomplete medical examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected neurogenic bowel to obtain a medical opinion that evaluates the severity of the disability without the ameliorative effects of any medication.
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