The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee osteoarthritis with patella spur, but denied an increased rating for limitation of extension of the left knee. The Veteran's current disability ratings are as follows: 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis with patella spur; and 10 percent for limitation of extension of the left knee.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service, but granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology. The Board agreed as it found evidence of symptoms during service and post-service treatment. For the left knee disability, the Board noted that the March 2011 VA examination did not address all relevant criteria for rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension).
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, seborrhea (claimed as rash on the back), left knee osteoarthritis with patella spur, limitation of extension of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 4, 2014
- Citation
- 1409100
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 1409100.
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 the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or toxic exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on his participation in TERA activities during service.
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