The Veteran's gastrointestinal issues due to an undiagnosed Gulf War illness are granted service connection.,An initial compensable rating of 10 percent is granted for the left fifth finger disability (limitation of motion).,A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the service-connected residual scar on the left fifth finger.,The claim for a left ankle disability is remanded.
The deciding factor: Service connection is granted based on objective indications of an undiagnosed illness due to active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, as per 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(1).,The Veteran's left fifth finger disability is rated based on limitation of motion under DC 5230 and painful scars under DC 7804.,The left ankle disability claim requires a new etiology opinion to determine if the condition began in service or is otherwise related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal issues manifested by stomach pains and loose stools, Left fifth finger (little finger) disability - limitation of motion, Left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23059502
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 23059502.
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 Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for left ankle disability residuals, finding that his current condition is due to an in-service injury and granting the benefit of the doubt.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ankle disability and headache disorder secondary to PTSD with alcohol use disorder have been granted increased ratings, effective September 16, 2018.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the increase in severity of his conditions was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to March 30, 2023.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for left knee instability and right knee instability are also denied.
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