The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected upper airway resistance syndrome, varicosis of the right lower extremity, and spider angiomata of the left thigh has been denied. The Board found that prior to September 27, 2013, the Veteran did not require a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine for his sleep disorder. From September 27, 2013, he was not productive of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale and had not required a tracheostomy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's upper airway resistance syndrome did not require the use of a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine prior to September 27, 2013, and was not productive of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale from that date onward.
- Claimed conditions
- upper airway resistance syndrome, varicosis, right lower extremity, spider angiomata, left thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 15, 2018
- Citation
- 1809602
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 1809602.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for upper airway resistance syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing the appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is found to have caused his diagnosed upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and unspecified sleep apnea, which are now granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claim for upper airway resistance syndrome to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the condition is related to the Veteran's active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a breathing sleep disorder, to include upper airway resistance syndrome and sleep apnea, as an adequate VA medical examination and opinion are needed.
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