The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent mixed headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The low back disability, left eye disability, right knee disability, and hypothyroidism do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection is remanded for claims related to a right wrist disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome), neck disorder, right shoulder disorder (secondary to recurrent mixed headaches), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current ratings for his service-connected conditions are already at the highest possible under their respective diagnostic codes, and there is no evidence of additional functional loss or impairment that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, recurrent mixed headaches, left eye pseudophakia due to posterior subcapsular cataract, low back disability, right knee ligament strain, myositis, and fasciitis, hypothyroidism
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18122460
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 18122460.
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.
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