Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Partly granted

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability and found that there is new and material evidence to support this claim. The reduction in the rating for the thoracic spine disability from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper, as it did not meet the criteria for such a reduction. The Veteran's current disability evaluation for his thoracic spine remains at 10 percent.

The deciding factor: The evidence received since the last final denial raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and was found to be new and material, thus reopening the claim. However, the reduction in the rating for the thoracic spine from 40 percent to 10 percent was not proper as it did not meet the criteria for such a reduction.

Claimed conditions
cervical spine, psychiatric disorder
How they argued it
Reopened with new and material evidence
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
10%
Decision date
January 31, 2011
Citation
1103795

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 1103795.

What this means for you

A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.