The Veteran's left index finger scar is not rated higher than the current noncompensable rating due to its size and painfulness. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the left index finger has been granted.,Service connection for GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service, PTSD, or exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's hypertension is considered secondary to diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease. Service connection has been remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: Higher ratings are not warranted based on the size and painfulness of the left index finger scar as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7805.,There is no evidence linking GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, or hypertension to service, PTSD, or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's conditions are considered secondary to diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is considered secondary to diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease and thus service connection has been remanded for further development.
- Claimed conditions
- left index finger scar, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 10, 2021
- Citation
- 21028255
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 21028255.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or toxic exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on his participation in TERA activities during service.
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