The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for obstructive sleep apnea established and increased ratings for PTSD, asthma, right shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals, seborrheic dermatitis, and hypertension. The Veteran is also granted TDIU as of August 28, 2009.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports the finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during service and has continued since then. Service connection for PTSD was established in January 2012, with increased ratings to 70% effective April 23, 2015. Increased ratings were granted for asthma (from 0% to 30%) and right shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals (from 10% to 20%). The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals have been rated as 100% since May 14, 2009. Increased ratings were granted for seborrheic dermatitis and hypertension.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Asthma, Right Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tear Residuals, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Residuals, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2017
- Citation
- 1742882
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 1742882.
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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