The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for syringomyelia prior to February 1, 2020 was denied. However, he is now in receipt of a 30 percent rating for thoracolumbar syringomyelia beginning on that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptomatology did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes and his manifestations were rated separately based on their own respective criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- syringomyelia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20055764
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20055764.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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