The Board has vacated the April 14, 2020 decision denying TDIU benefits due to failure to defer a decision on the issue until OSA was assigned a disability rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, supraventricular arrhythmia, Barrett's esophagus, and GERD, did not render him incapable of participating in substantially gainful employment due to their combined impact on his ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of Bilateral Feet, Supraventricular Arrhythmia, Barrett's Esophagus and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21076560
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21076560.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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