The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to her service-connected persistent depressive disorder. The lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and persistent depressive disorder are all granted increased ratings. Service connection for dysfunctional bleeding with LGSIL/HGSIL status post LEEP is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to be secondary to her service-connected persistent depressive disorder. The lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and persistent depressive disorder were all found to warrant increased ratings based on their severity and impact on the Veteran's daily life.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive sleep apnea, Lumbar spine condition (minimal retrolisthesis of L5 on S1 with lumbosacral strain), Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Persistent depressive disorder, Functional bleeding (post-LEEP)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 1, 2024
- Citation
- 24005086
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 24005086.
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 Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- 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.
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