BVA Case 04-0338: Back

BVAReal Board of Veterans' Appeals decision · · NEWMAN

Outcome
Affirmed
Decision Date
Unknown
Judge
NEWMAN
Service Era
Not specified

Conditions Claimed

BackAnkleEye

What would this rating pay you? (2026 rates)

Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.

per month ·  per year, tax-free

Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.

2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
RatingMonthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA)
10%$180.42
20%$356.66
30%$552.47
40%$795.84
50%$1,132.90
60%$1,435.02
70%$1,808.45
80%$2,102.15
90%$2,362.30
100%$3,938.58
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Issues on Appeal

BackAnkleEye

Why It Was Decided This Way

2007-7060 2 In May 1995, Jennings filed an application that was construed by the VA as an attempt to reopen his claim for service connection on new and material evidence grounds.

Although the RO denied Jennings’s claim to reopen, the Board found that Jennings’s testimony constituted new and material evidence and directed the RO to reopen the claim.

On November 7, 2003, the Board found no CUE in the 1954 decisions.

As to the first prong, the Board found that “the RO’s decisions were in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, and that the evidence of record adequately supported the decisions.

The Board noted that the RO had considered the presumptions of soundness and aggravation, and that there was an evidentiary basis for concluding that those presumptions were rebutted.

The Board found no evidence in the 1954 record of “an opinion relating the veteran’s ulcerative colitis to his service,” and noted that Dr.

Finally, the Board noted that even assuming the RO committed some error, it would not have “manifestly changed the result” because “there was no evidence of record that the veteran’s ulcerative colitis was incurred or aggravated during his service.

First, Jennings contends that the Board erred in failing to specifically refer to the “clear and unmistakable evidence” standard for rebutting the presumptions of soundness and aggravation.

Authorities Cited

Bernklau v. PrincipiBustos v. WestButler v. PrincipiGilbert v. DerwinskiJennings v. NicholsonMorris v. PrincipiPierce v. PrincipiSee Natali v. Principi

Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)

38 CFR 3.156(b) (2007)38 CFR 3.201(a) (1954)38 CFR 3.201(e) (1949)38 CFR 3.7 (1954)38 CFR 3.79 (1954)38 USC 7104(d)(1)38 USC 7105(b)(1)38 USC 7292(a)

Denial Type

Not New Material|Cue

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Referral disclosure: VetAid earns a referral fee if you become a paying REE Medical client through this link — it helps keep this site free. REE Medical provides paid medical evidence; it is not a law firm, VSO, or claims agent, and VetAid has not independently verified its services. VSOs and VA-accredited representatives will help you file your claim at no cost, and no one can guarantee a rating increase.