The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome began during service and is related to his in-service symptoms, granting service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by Dr. H.M.B., a vascular surgeon, supported the conclusion that the Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome manifested itself during service and was more likely than not caused by the cervical rib present at birth, which developed slowly over time and may have been exacerbated by in-service symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19104339
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,451 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19104339.
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 is granted a higher level of SMC at the intermediary level N1/2 from October 20, 2020 to June 7, 2022. This decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome is rated at 40 percent effective June 9, 2023. The condition has more nearly approximated moderately severe incomplete paralysis.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome with intermittent bilateral upper extremity numbness is granted as service connected. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the June 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.
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