The Veteran's right hand/wrist disability is not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder (COPD/Emphysema), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or due to service. OSA is also not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is service-connected as it first manifested after the Veteran's second period of service.
The deciding factor: The right hand/wrist disability preexisted service and was not aggravated during service. The respiratory disorder (COPD/Emphysema), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) did not manifest during or due to service.,Fibromyalgia is not shown to be caused by any event during active service, nor was it aggravated by a pre-existing condition. The respiratory disorder (COPD/Emphysema), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) did not manifest during or due to service.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) first manifested after his second period of service, and was not aggravated by any event during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand/Wrist Disability, Fibromyalgia, Right Foot Disability, Respiratory Disorder (COPD/Emphysema), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1808453
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1808453.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for vertigo and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for OSA and insomnia must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, as well as a failure to obtain TERA opinions on all relevant exposures.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and a separate rating for chronic pulmonary embolism due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
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