The Veteran's petition to reopen her claims for service connection for insomnia, bilateral pes planus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia and anxiety), and thoracolumbar spine condition is granted.,An earlier effective date of May 2, 2016, but no earlier, for a disability rating of 20 percent for neuropathy of the left hand fourth webspace is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran submitted new and material evidence linking her service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities to her nonservice-connected insomnia.,The Veteran submitted new and material evidence linking her service-connected bilateral knee disability to her non-service-connected bilateral pes planus, supporting an alternative theory of entitlement (secondary service connection).,The Veteran submitted a buddy statement from her son linking her current mental health conditions to her active-duty service.,New and material evidence was found linking the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities to her nonservice-connected thoracolumbar spine condition, supporting an alternative theory of entitlement (secondary service connection).,VA records were submitted showing a prior increase in disability for left-hand neuropathy from 10% to 20%, which is now considered effective since May 2, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- insomnia, bilateral pes planus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia and anxiety), thoracolumbar spine condition (low back condition)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23026634
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 23026634.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection of insomnia was denied, and the effective date is set to the date of receipt of the claim (May 31, 2024).
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Appellant's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection for bilateral pes planus and gynecomastia scar residuals, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are the dates of receipt of the claims.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for anterior uveitis, right eye, and service connection for restless leg syndrome, RLE. The claim for service connection for insomnia is dismissed as moot because it was granted with an effective date based on the date of the Veteran's application.
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