The Veteran's upper extremity disabilities are found to be due to an undiagnosed illness manifested by neurological symptoms and muscle pain presumed to have been incurred as a result of his Persian Gulf War service. Service connection is granted for both the right and left upper extremities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current complaints of persistent and recurrent pain, numbness, tingling, cramping, and swelling in the upper extremities are indicators of an undiagnosed illness manifested by neurological symptoms and muscle pain presumed to have been incurred as a result of his Persian Gulf War service.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity disability, left upper extremity disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2014
- Citation
- 1431957
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 1431957.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Parkinson's disease and related conditions have necessitated a higher level of care, including hospitalization and skilled home health care. The Board has granted SMC at the (r)(2) rate based on this need.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2023 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and special monthly compensation (SMC).
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include generalized anxiety and depression; obstructive sleep apnea; left upper extremity disability; and right upper extremity disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a left upper extremity disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing both direct and secondary theories of service connection.
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