The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability and myelitis is denied. Additional development is needed to determine the extent of neurological impairment due to myelitis.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide a detailed opinion on the degree of incomplete paralysis or other neurological impairment caused by myelitis, which may affect upper extremities as well as lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- myelitis of the cervical spine, hammertoes of the left foot, hammertoes of the right foot, spasticity of the right lower extremity (claimed as bilateral foot tremors and weakness of the legs), spasticity of the left lower extremity (claimed as bilateral foot tremors and weakness of the legs), spasticity of the right upper extremity (claimed as bilateral hand tremors and weakness of the arms and hands), spasticity of the left upper extremity (claimed as bilateral hand tremors and weakness of the arms and hands)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2011
- Citation
- 1114329
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1114329.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of the May 2024 rating decision regarding service connection for hammertoes of the bilateral feet and varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities has been dismissed due to a procedural defect in concurrent election.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various foot and knee conditions due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development regarding his right foot disability, specifically addressing whether he has metatarsalgia and hammertoes of the right foot that are related to his service-connected heloma durum. The case will be readjudicated based on this additional information.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a bilateral foot disability and service connection for hammertoes of the left foot. The Veteran's claims are being returned to VA for further development.
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.