The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since April 24, 2008 and increased to 50% from September 10, 2014.,Sinusitis was initially rated as noncompensable but increased to 50% effective September 10, 2014.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be etiologically related to active duty service.
The deciding factor: PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Veteran has experienced suicidal ideation, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and impaired impulse control.,Sinusitis is characterized by three to six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year characterized by headaches, pain, purulent discharge, and post-nasal drainage prior to September 10, 2014. From September 10, 2014, the Veteran's sinusitis has been characterized as near constant sinusitis.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected because it is etiologically related to active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Sinusitis, Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1644377
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 1644377.
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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