The Board has granted secondary service connection for a sleep apnea disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected deviated left nasal septum with allergic rhinitis. The initial rating claim for the deviated nasal septum disability remains denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that some of the Veteran's sleep apnea was due to his service-connected nasal deformity, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Sleep apnea disorder, Deviated left nasal septum with allergic rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 6, 2012
- Citation
- 1241702
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 1241702.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a hearing loss disorder, sleep apnea disorder, and respiratory disorder (including asthma) as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions. The claims were remanded for further development regarding increased ratings and TDIU.
- Partly granted
The appeal regarding the severance of service connection for PTSD was dismissed. Service connection for sleep apnea disorder was denied. The severance of service connection for hypertension was proper, while the severances for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, right knee tendinitis, left knee tendinitis, and erectile dysfunction were improper and service connection was restored. The issue of service connection for a headache disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, was remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea disorder, and headache disorder are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected knee disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's headaches and sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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