The Veteran is seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder. He also seeks higher ratings for his right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis and chronic low back strain with degenerative changes and herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, is reopened on new evidence. The Board will determine whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his reported stressors and whether it is proximately due or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran seeks higher ratings for residuals of a right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis. A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of this condition.,The Veteran seeks separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The December 2015 VA spine examination findings must be considered in determining whether these conditions warrant separate ratings.,The Veteran seeks separate ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathy. A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of this condition.
The deciding factor: The appeal involves claims for service connection and increased ratings, with a need for additional development regarding the nature and etiology of sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened on new evidence. The Board will determine whether he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his reported stressors and whether it is proximately due or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The appeal involves claims for increased ratings for residuals of a right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis, requiring additional examination to assess the severity of this condition.,The appeal involves separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The December 2015 VA spine examination findings must be considered in determining whether these conditions warrant separate ratings.,The appeal involves claims for separate ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathy, requiring additional examination to assess the severity of this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2017
- Citation
- 1732595
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 1732595.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or toxic exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on his participation in TERA activities during service.
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.