The Veteran's claim for service connection for cerebellar dysfunction, diagnosed as OPCA and cerebellar ataxia, has been reopened. The evidence is now sufficient to support the claim of service connection.
The deciding factor: New evidence received since the final February 2003 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for cerebellar dysfunction and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Cerebellar Dysfunction, Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy (OPCA), Cerebellar Ataxia
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19159146
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 19159146.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is determined to be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cerebellar ataxia as secondary to seizures, but denied the reopening of the claim for generalized musculoskeletal pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for cerebellar ataxia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood) is granted as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for cerebellar ataxia, previously described as pontocerebellar degeneration, to include due to herbicide exposure. The case is now REMANDED 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.