The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, left patellofemoral syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), allergic rhinitis, left palm ganglion cyst excision, herpes simplex, acne vulgaris, and uterine fibroids, have prevented the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities negatively impacted her ability to function at work and caused physical and emotional constraints that were not conducive to employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Sleep apnea, Degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, Left patellofemoral syndrome, chondromalacia patella and bursal joint effusion, left knee, Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Allergic rhinitis, Left palm ganglion cyst excision, Hershey simplex, Ace vulgaris, Uterine fibroids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19175874
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches, CFS, dermatosis, bilateral RLS, a lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea but denied a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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