The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and dysfunctional bleeding, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.,VA has not provided a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner should determine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her military service, caused by her acquired psychiatric disorder, or aggravated by her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Persistent Depressive Disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (claimed), Left Upper Extremity Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (claimed), Right Upper Extremity Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (claimed), Lumbar Spine Condition, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Dysfunctional Bleeding
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21073056
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 21073056.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted, effective January 17, 2024. The Board has now granted an earlier effective date of May 31, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. The other issues have been denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
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