The Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal cerebellar atrophy and residuals of TBI have been reopened, and a 10% disability rating has been granted. The effective date is September 20, 2018.
The deciding factor: New evidence was submitted showing the Veteran likely incurred neurotoxin exposure and trauma during service, which significantly exacerbated his current disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal cerebellar atrophy, Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20009644
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 20009644.
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 remands the claims for higher initial disability ratings for PTSD, TBI, and left ulnar nerve damage due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to a regulatory duty to assist error.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD with substance abuse disorders, a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of TBI effective October 23, 2008, and a separate 40 percent rating for residuals of TBI effective October 11, 2016. The Board also granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU, SMC based on housebound status, and separate evaluations for residuals of traumatic brain injury.
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