The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, and restrictive lung disease unspecified type. The increased rating claims for coronary artery disease with stent status post myocardial infarction with block and asymptomatic bradycardia (CAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were denied, but a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.
The deciding factor: The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran for service connection of neuropathy and obstructive sleep apnea due to exposure to herbicides during active service. The increased rating claims were denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, and his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, restrictive lung disease unspecified type
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25024900
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including GERD, chronic kidney disease, COPD, a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea, as additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemical agents during his service.
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