The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected. The PTSD is assigned a 50% disability rating, the left knee and right knee conditions are each rated at 10%, the shoulder strains are not service-connected, the wrist condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the spine strain is rated at 10%, the ankle strains do not warrant a higher rating, the hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10%, and the headaches are assigned a 30% disability rating. The Veteran's hypertension, DVT, restless leg syndrome, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease are each rated at 10%.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports service connection for traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea as they were incurred during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Status-post MCL and ACL tear of the left knee with patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis, Patellofemoral Syndrome of the right knee, Left Shoulder Strain, Right Shoulder Strain, Residuals, Status-post de Quervains release of the right wrist, Musculoskeletal strain of the thoracolumbar spine, Musculoskeletal strain of the cervical spine, Musculoskeletal strain of the left ankle, Musculoskeletal strain of the right ankle, Hiatal Hernia with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), Headaches, Scars of the left knee, Hypertension, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Restless Leg Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Erectile Dysfunction, Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 19, 2014
- Citation
- 1451351
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 1451351.
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's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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