The Veteran's claim for OSA was granted with an effective date of October 31, 2013. The rating for the right-hand little finger injury remains noncompensable. The claims for eczema and low back strain are remanded.
The deciding factor: The earlier effective date is granted based on receipt of new and material evidence in December 2016 that was not considered until August 2018, when the claim was reconsidered and service connection was granted. The rating for eczema remains noncompensable as there is no indication of ankylosis or functional impairment akin to amputation.
- Claimed conditions
- OSA, Right-hand little finger injury with residual flexion deformity, Eczema, Low back strain, Left hip condition, Right hip condition, Left foot condition, Right foot condition, Left ankle condition, Right ankle condition, Acquired psychiatric disorder (to include GAD and MDD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2024
- Citation
- 24006796
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 24006796.
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 Veteran's hearing loss and low back strain claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the low back strain claim requires additional examination to determine its severity.
- Granted
The Veteran's right foot condition, including pain and functional limitation, is related to service. The Veteran's right leg disability did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's left leg disability also did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU. The issue of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was withdrawn by the appellant.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for OSA with coughing, effective from November 7, 2023, is granted. The appeal regarding a higher rating and the effective date for service connection are both denied.
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