The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of injuries to the cervical spine, including strain and bulging discs, and residuals of an injury to the thoracic spine at T5-6, including pain. The claims are therefore reopened.
The deciding factor: New evidence includes lay statements from family members and friends supporting the Veteran's claim that he experienced neck pain since childhood, which is relevant to reopening the cervical spine claim. For the thoracic spine claim, new evidence consists of a statement from the Veteran asserting his injury occurred in service during a fall while carrying his sea bag.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of an injury of the cervical spine, residuals of an injury to the thoracic spine at T5-6
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2011
- Citation
- 1142629
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 1142629.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his cervical spine disability and erectile dysfunction.
- Denied
The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's current cervical spine disability and his service, including an injury during service. The claim for service connection was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to his cervical spine, chronic prostate problems, mitral valve prolapse, and chronic arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability or show that any condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service.
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.