The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted. The conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is less likely than not due to his service-connected chronic headaches, but it is more likely than not caused by a combination of factors including obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus L4-5, L5-S1 with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, Major depression and pain disorder (also claimed as somatization), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Acquired disability of the feet (to include flatfeet), Hemorrhoids (also claimed as rectal bleeding), Hallucinations, Bowel incontinence, Crohn's disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 1, 2018
- Citation
- 1813143
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 1813143.
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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