The Veteran's claim for cervical spinal fusion, neck scars, and loss of taste was granted with an effective date of November 11, 2016. The initial rating for the cervical spinal fusion (with neck resection surgery) status post squamous cell carcinoma, base of tongue remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted in November 2016 and a positive nexus opinion provided by Dr. King in August 2022, which led to the grant of service connection for cervical spinal fusion with neck resection surgery, status post squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spinal fusion, neck scars, loss of taste
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24084642
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 A24084642.
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 service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, neck scars, degenerative arthritis of the neck, and upper extremity radiculopathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from October 8, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims were granted effective from May 6, 2020. His SMC claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not affect his ability to work.
- Denied
The Veteran was awarded service connection for allergic rhinitis based on the PACT Act, but an earlier effective date prior to August 10, 2022, is not warranted.
- Partly granted
The Board denied or dismissed the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, higher ratings, and service connection for various conditions, with some grants of earlier effective dates and initial ratings.
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