The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied in July 2005, but reopened due to new evidence presented. The claims of service connection for a back disorder and skin disorder were also reopened. A rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD prior to February 20, 2019 is denied, while a 50 percent rating from that date onward is granted. The Veteran's PFB remains rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran presented new and material evidence in support of his reopened claims, which led to the reopening of these claims. For PTSD, the Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms warranted a 30 percent rating prior to February 20, 2019, but a higher 50 percent rating from that date onward.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, back disorder, skin disorder (miliaria), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20074553
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 869 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20074553.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
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