The Veteran's cervical spine disability, manifested by syringomyelia and Arnold-Chiari malformation, is currently rated at 30 percent. The claim for a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities has been granted since December 22, 1999. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was established as of that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment, which includes severe limitation of motion with flexion limited to 10 degrees, pain, muscle spasms, and inability to perform repetitive range of motion testing due to pain. The combined rating for all service-connected disabilities exceeds 60 percent since December 22, 1999.
- Claimed conditions
- syringomyelia, Arnold-Chiari malformation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 2, 2016
- Citation
- 1603585
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 1603585.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 claims for additional development to address whether the Veteran's acquired neurological disorder, including Arnold Chiari malformation and syringomyelia, is related to his service. The muscle inflammation claim due to Persian Gulf service is also being remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for syringomyelia and associated residuals, including sleep apnea, was granted with an effective date of April 25, 2005.,Service connection for voiding dysfunction and bowel dysfunction (associated with syringomyelia) was also granted with an effective date of January 1, 2008.
- Denied
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including right and left leg disabilities, central neuropathic pain, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), syringomyelia, chronic constipation, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, and functional dextroscoliosis and thoracic kyphosis have all been denied.,The Board found that there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between any of these conditions and the Veteran's service.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a separate 30 percent rating for syringomyelia, but the claims for higher ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and for separate or compensable ratings for sinus conditions were denied.
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