The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating effective February 19, 2021.,Right wrist and costochondritis disabilities were each granted a 10% rating effective September 21, 2020.,Service connection for sleep apnea was established with an effective date of June 29, 2021.,Service connection for cervical spine disability was denied.,TDIU was granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 40% rating as of February 19, 2021, based on evidence showing forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.,Right wrist and costochondritis disabilities were granted increased ratings effective September 21, 2020, as they met the criteria for a 10% rating at that time.,Service connection for sleep apnea was established with an effective date of June 29, 2021, based on evidence showing its relationship to service.,Service connection for cervical spine disability was denied due to lack of evidence demonstrating it as related to service.,TDIU was granted as the Veteran's disabilities precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, right wrist disability, costochondritis, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 4, 2024
- Citation
- A24080417
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 A24080417.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims of service connection for cervical spine and skin rash disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.