The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and restless leg syndrome was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis. A 40 percent disability rating is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from March 8, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and restless leg syndrome. The Board found that sleep apnea was proximately due to service-connected deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis.
- Claimed conditions
- Irritable bowel syndrome, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Restless leg syndrome, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Arthritis of the right knee, Total right knee replacement, Arthritis of the left knee, Total left knee replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18127002
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 18127002.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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