The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible rating of 70 percent, and his left wrist fracture residuals are not entitled to a higher rating. Service connection for carotidynia, low back disorder, variously diagnosed respiratory disorders (including as due to an undiagnosed illness), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and left upper extremity tremor is granted.
The deciding factor: The veteran's PTSD symptoms are severe enough to warrant a 70 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. The other conditions were not shown to be related to service or due to an undiagnosed illness in the Persian Gulf War, but they have been found to be related to environmental factors in service.
- Claimed conditions
- carotidynia, low back disorder, variously diagnosed respiratory disorders (including as due to an undiagnosed illness), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, left upper extremity tremor
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2005
- Citation
- 0501586
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 0501586.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a November 2023 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and traumatic brain injury due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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