The appeal to reopen claims for service connection of PTSD, OSA, and low back disability is granted.,The appeals to reopen claims for service connection of right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, anemia, tenosynovitis, and OSA are remanded. The claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability remains on appeal.,Service connection for hypertension is granted from the date last worked in November 2012.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the prior final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying claims for PTSD, OSA, and low back disability.,The new treatment records raise a previously unconsidered theory of entitlement (secondary to service-connected depressive disorder or psychiatric disability) related to sleep apnea. The Veteran’s history of insomnia in service also warrants further development.,The updated treatment records show the Veteran now has additional back pathology, including arthritis and disc bulging.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Low Back Disability, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20023635
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 20023635.
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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