The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is granted as service-connected prior to April 6, 2022.,Obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities.,Allergic rhinitis does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,Hypertension does not warrant a compensable disability rating.,Painful abdominal scar and abdominal and right lower quadrant surgical scars do not warrant a compensable disability rating.,Degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted with a 40 percent disability rating, but no higher, from April 23, 2018.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted with a 10 percent initial disability rating from April 23, 2018 to May 27, 2021.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is denied for ratings in excess of 40 percent after May 28, 2021.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve is granted with a 10 percent initial disability rating from July 19, 2021.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted with a 20 percent initial disability rating from October 10, 2021.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are found to be related to her in-service military sexual trauma (MST).,Obstructive sleep apnea is determined to be secondary to her service-connected disabilities.,Allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Hypertension does not warrant a compensable disability rating.,Painful abdominal scar and abdominal and right lower quadrant surgical scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.,Degenerative arthritis of the spine is found to be manifested by pain, tenderness, and limited range of motion without unfavorable ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 10 percent from April 23, 2018 to May 27, 2021 due to mild incomplete paralysis.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve does not meet the criteria for a higher rating after May 28, 2021.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve is rated at 10 percent from July 19, 2021.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent from October 10, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depressive Disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23067147
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 23067147.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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