The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder and found that the Veteran's insomnia was related to his already service-connected depressive disorder. The Board also denied an initial disability rating greater than 20 percent for cervical spine disability, as forward flexion of the cervical spine did not limit to 15 degrees or less during the claim period.,The Board denied entitlement to a separate compensable rating for left upper extremity neurological abnormality associated with cervical spine disability and found that right upper extremity radiculopathy was characterized as moderate incomplete paralysis on the dominant side.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the presence of a distinct sleep disorder, and the Veteran's symptoms were related to his service-connected depressive disorder. The Board also noted that forward flexion of the cervical spine did not limit to 15 degrees or less during the claim period.
- Claimed conditions
- Sleep Disorder, Degenerative Joint and Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine (Cervical Spine Disability), Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21015293
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 21015293.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction have been denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service exposure.,The remaining service connection claims (for bilateral feet, ankles, hip, wrist, cervical spine, upper extremity radiculopathy, psychiatric disorder, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension) are remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess her current and retrospective severity of these disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues being inextricably intertwined with the character of discharge determination. The Veteran's mental state at the time of misconduct is also under examination.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC for statutory housebound due to service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The combined rating is at least 100 percent.
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