The Veteran's right ulnar nerve impingement is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, left middle finger disability, hiatal hernia with GERD, spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, and left ankle disability are all granted increased ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ulnar nerve impingement is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The other conditions were found to warrant increased ratings based on their severity and impact on the Veteran's daily life.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ulnar nerve impingement, Obstructive sleep apnea, Cervical spine disability, status post cervical fusion C5-C6 and C6-C7, Left middle finger disability, status post ORIF of a fracture, Hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, Left ankle disability, torn ligaments with degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23050520
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 23050520.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected residuals of left foot 5th metatarsal fracture.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea has been granted, with the effective date set at June 25, 2019.
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