The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a ventral hernia prior to February 10, 2022, and higher than 20 percent thereafter is denied. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hernia, or scar.
- Claimed conditions
- Ventral hernia, Obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22058134
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 22058134.
What this means for you
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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 claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a ventral hernia is denied. The extension beyond December 31, 2019, of a temporary total rating (TTR) based on hospitalization for PTSD is also denied. A rating in excess of 70% for PTSD from January 1, 2020 to November 6, 2025 is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of persistent daytime hypersomnolence or other manifestations consistent with a compensable disability rating under the criteria established by Diagnostic Codes. The matter is remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his headaches and their impact on his daily life.
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