The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to both his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and his service-connected sleep apnea.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with a compensable degree of disability manifested within one year of separation from service.
The deciding factor: Service connection for the Veteran’s unspecified depressive disorder was established based on evidence showing it began during active service and continued after separation. The Board found that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was determined to be secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, as indicated by a private physician's opinion. The Board also considered the Veteran’s lay statements regarding his symptoms during active service and post-service.,The Veteran's migraine headaches were found to be secondary to both his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and sleep apnea based on a private physician's opinion. The Board again considered the Veteran's lay statements about his experiences in service and after separation.,Tinnitus was granted as service connected because it manifested within one year of separation from active duty, despite the VA examiner’s initial negative opinion. The Veteran provided credible testimony regarding his tinnitus onset.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Unspecified depressive disorder"}, {"condition_name":"Sleep apnea"}, {"condition_name":"Migraine headaches"}, {"condition_name":"Tinnitus"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20070211
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
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