The Veteran's OSA and right ankle osteoarthritis with tenosynovitis have been granted. The OSA is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric and musculoskeletal disabilities, while the right ankle condition warrants a 20% disability rating.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on evidence showing that the Veteran's OSA and right ankle osteoarthritis with tenosynovitis are related to his service-connected mental health conditions and musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board found that obesity, which is linked to both conditions, is an intermediate step between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle osteoarthritis with tenosynovitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19130641
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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