The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of meningitis, increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board has also remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's disabilities.
The deciding factor: There is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current back condition or cognitive disorder to his in-service spinal meningitis or spinal taps.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of meningitis, lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD), cognitive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2024
- Citation
- 24016511
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 24016511.
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: Granted
The Veteran's TBI residuals, including depressive disorder, cognitive impairment, chronic sinusitis, migraines, vertigo, anosmia, hypogeusia, and trigeminal nerve neuralgia, require aid and attendance. The Veteran is not eligible for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2). Without regular aid and attendance, the Veteran would need residential institutional care due to safety concerns.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of his military service records.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative joint disease but remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected back disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.
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.