The Board found that there is no current evidence of a sleep disorder or neck disorder. The Veteran's cold injury residuals have been rated at 10 percent prior to November 21, 2012 and at 20 percent thereafter. A compensable disability rating for forehead disfigurement by scars was not warranted, and the Veteran did not meet criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support current diagnoses of sleep disorder or neck disorder, and there is no overlap with other conditions that would warrant different ratings. The cold injury residuals have been rated appropriately based on the presence of symptoms such as pain, numbness, and cold sensitivity. A compensable rating for forehead disfigurement by scars was denied due to lack of characteristics of disfigurement or gross distortion/ asymmetry. The Veteran did not meet criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep disorder, neck disorder, heart disorder (including vascular problems), stroke, cold injury residuals in the right lower extremity, cold injury residuals in the left lower extremity, forehead disfigurement by scars
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1759952
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1759952.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain all necessary opinions regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI). The claims for service connection for fatigue, fibromyalgia, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep disorder are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
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