The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is secondary to his service-connected coccidioidomycosis pneumonia residuals. The issues of a separate compensable rating for fractured ribs and deformity of the right lower rib cage as well as an increased rating for coccidioidomycosis pneumonia residuals are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected coccidioidomycosis pneumonia residuals, granting service connection based on this finding.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, coccidioidomycosis pneumonia residuals
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19116348
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 19116348.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including GERD, chronic kidney disease, COPD, a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea, as additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemical agents during his service.
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