The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of cervical strain and granted it. The Veteran is also granted service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and disequilibrium as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches. However, the reduction in disability rating for lumbar spine disability was not proper, and the 40% rating has been restored.
The deciding factor: New evidence showed a current cervical spine disorder that could be related to service, thus reopening the claim. Service connection is granted for PTSD, tinnitus, and disequilibrium as secondary to migraine headaches. The reduction in disability rating was not proper due to lack of material improvement.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disorder, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Bilateral foot disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1719988
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 1719988.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
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