The Veteran's service connection claim for OSA is denied. The increased rating claims for lumbosacral strain with enthesopathy are partially granted, with a 40% rating effective April 5, 2018, and separate ratings of 10% each for lumbar radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no evidence linking OSA to service or in-service exposure. The Veteran's back disability is rated based on its current manifestations, with a 40% rating effective April 5, 2018, for lumbosacral strain with enthesopathy and separate ratings of 10% each for lumbar radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Lumbosacral strain with enthesopathy, Lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), Lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18123383
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 18123383.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
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The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for OSA and insomnia must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, as well as a failure to obtain TERA opinions on all relevant exposures.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and a separate rating for chronic pulmonary embolism due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records are considered in determining whether there is a nexus between current symptoms and service.
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