The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, and dental disability (broken teeth) were denied. The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for right shoulder strain with tendonitis and degenerative joint disease was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse is remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran’s current disabilities and his military service or any specific exposure (e.g., burn pit), leading to denial of claims for COPD, sleep apnea, and dental disability. The rating reduction was granted as the examinations used were less full and complete than those that continued the prior rating.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, sleep apnea, dental disability (broken teeth)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18142929
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 18142929.
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 sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
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