The Veteran's service connection claims for a sleep disorder, severe cardiomyopathy, and a disability manifested by weakness and dizziness were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD based on his reported stressor of being near the Korean DMZ during service.
The deciding factor: The positive evidence (including the Veteran's own testimony) as to whether he has PTSD due to service in proximity to the DMZ during service outweighed the negative medical opinions, and all reasonable doubt was resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep disorder, severe cardiomyopathy, disability manifested by weakness and dizziness
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20040977
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 20040977.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain all necessary opinions regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI). The claims for service connection for fatigue, fibromyalgia, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep disorder are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for weight gain, sleep disorder, BPPV, and headache disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Specifically, a VA examiner is required to provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's BPPV and headache disorder are causally or etiologically related to his military service.
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