The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, residuals, fracture of the left tibia plateau, bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees, residuals, removal of colon polyps, cervical strain, residuas first and second degree burns of the face, peptic ulcer disease, hiatal hernia, rhinopharyngitis, sinusitis with headache, upper respiratory infection, rhinitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 22, 2002
- Citation
- 0216978
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 0216978.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.