The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and rotator cuff tear, obstructive sleep apnea, and lumbar strain with DDD and bulging discs. The claim for a right knee disability was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing before the Board.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's pre-existing back disability was aggravated during service and as to whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service, with the Veteran's testimony and medical opinions supporting these findings. The right shoulder tendonitis and rotator cuff tear are found to be related to active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee disability, lumbar strain with degenerative disk disease (DDD) and bulging discs, right shoulder tendonitis with torn rotator cuff, obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2018
- Citation
- 1818729
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 1818729.
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 is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
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