The Veteran's claims for residuals of left ankle sprain, sleep apnea, left hand pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and pseudofolliculitis barbae/tinea versicolor have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis or service connection established.
The deciding factor: There are no currently diagnosed conditions that meet the criteria for service connection under the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of left ankle sprain, sleep apnea (claimed as snoring and hypersomnia), left hand pain, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (claimed as lack of sleep), pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinea versicolor
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20028935
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 20028935.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hand pain is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board will need to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed condition and his military service, including exposure to burn pits.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left ankle crepitus, left hand pain, right hand pain, and irritable colon syndrome (IBS).
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left hand pain and right hand pain due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's VA treatment records show he has been treated for arthritis in both hands, which may be associated with his in-service use of weapons. However, a VA medical examination is needed to determine if there is a nexus between the current disability and service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, right and left hand pain, and lumbosacral strain as there was no evidence of current disability or in-service injury, disease, or event.
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