The Board found that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's AVM preexisted service, but also concluded that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation leading to the current condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection for AVM of the spinal cord was denied.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the presumption of soundness applied due to the Veteran's combat experience and found no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting AVM. Additionally, there is no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation leading to the current condition.
- Claimed conditions
- AVM of the spinal cord
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2010
- Citation
- 1004601
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1004601.
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 veteran's claim for service connection for his AVM of the spinal cord is being remanded due to a need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The Board will determine if there is a link between the veteran's current back disability and his in-service injury during combat.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
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