The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disability, low back disability, and sleep apnea have been reopened. The rating for tinnitus has been denied, while the rating for sleep apnea is at its maximum of 50 percent. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted with a permanent and total disability rating effective October 31, 2014.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the previous denial was found to be new and material, allowing for the reopening of claims for service connection for right elbow bursitis and low back pain. The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at its maximum under Diagnostic Code 6847 due to his use of a CPAP machine.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Elbow Bursitis, Low Back Pain
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2024
- Citation
- 24033994
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 24033994.
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 for left eye condition, bilateral knee pain, low back pain, and bilateral shoulder pain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's STRs are incomplete and need to be obtained, as well as VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 16, 2021, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantial gainful employment during those periods.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to an inadequate VA examination and conflicting evidence regarding the impact of her service-connected conditions.
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