The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic sleep disability is denied.,Service connection and increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative changes at L5-S1, cervical spine strain with C5-6 spondylosis, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and tinea versicolor with tinea pedis are also denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is denied.,Service connection and increased ratings for tinea versicolor with tinea pedis are denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic sleep disability. The Veteran's complaints of sleep difficulties were related to his psychiatric diagnosis, and he does not have a separate diagnosis of a sleep disability.,For the period prior to October 10, 2022, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain has been characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees. For the period from October 10, 2022, the Veteran's cervical spine strain during a flare up has been characterized by forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees.,For the period prior to October 10, 2022, the Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain has been characterized by pain free and normal range of motion. For the period from October 10, 2022, the Veteran's tinea versicolor has been characterized as affecting less than 40 percent of his body, affecting no exposed areas, and not requiring the use of medication.,For the period prior to October 10, 2022, the Veteran's tinea pedis has been characterized as resolved. For the period from October 10, 2022, the Veteran's tinea versicolor has been characterized as affecting less than 40 percent of his body, affecting no exposed areas, and not requiring the use of medication.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic sleep disability, thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative changes at L5-S1, cervical spine strain with C5-6 spondylosis, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, tinea versicolor with tinea pedis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23017316
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 23017316.
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 service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection claims related to left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, and low back injury.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to service connection and rating decisions from February 2017, May 2019, and November 2019 due to untimely Notice of Disagreement filings.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the appellant's claims for effective dates prior to June 10, 2022, for service connection of various conditions. The appeal is also remanded for further action on some issues.
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