The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, tension headaches are rated at 10 percent, tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation available, and bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection was established for obstructive sleep apnea, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation available due to moderate limitation of motion. Tension headaches are rated at the maximum schedular evaluation available. Tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation available. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection was established for obstructive sleep apnea, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine arthritis, Tension headaches, Osteoarthritis in lumbar spine and knees, Obstructive sleep apnea, Right carpal tunnel syndrome, Brain abnormality, Enlarged heart
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 2, 2002
- Citation
- 0204038
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 0204038.
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 granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, alcohol use disorder, tension headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and erectile dysfunction, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for cardiac and pulmonary sarcoidosis and obstructive sleep apnea due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring additional development.
- Partly granted
The appeal was denied for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, and several claims were remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic rhinitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The headache claim was remanded for further examination.
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