The Veteran's eye disability, claimed as 'High pressure in eyes (Possible glaucoma)', is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence showing its onset during service or within one year after service, and it is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for GERD is granted because the current disability is at least as likely as not related to service based on a diagnosis of acid reflux symptoms documented in STRs.,The Veteran's ingrown toenail of the left great toe is granted service connection due to evidence showing it was treated during service and persists into the present day.,Service connection for periodontal disease is denied because treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease are not considered disabilities for purposes of compensation.

The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of 'High pressure in eyes (Possible glaucoma)' as evidenced by the absence of any documented eye disability during service or recent to the filing of the claim.,While there is evidence of difficulty sleeping and hypersomnia while in service, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that sleep apnea began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is no evidence showing hypertension began during service or within one year after service, nor is it otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was not present at the time of his separation from service.,The February 2016 VA examination found that the Veteran’s GERD is at least as likely as not related to service based on a history of acid reflux symptoms documented in STRs, and there is no evidence showing it began during service or within one year after service.,The ingrown toenail of the left great toe was treated during service and persists into the present day. The Veteran's current diagnosis of this condition is at least as likely as not related to service based on his reported history of treatment in 1987 for both great toes.,Periodontal disease, treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease are not considered disabilities for purposes of compensation.

Claimed conditions

Eye disability (High pressure in eyes/Possible glaucoma), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Hypertension, Ingrown toenail of the left great toe, Periodontal disease, Sleep apnea

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

July 18, 2019

Citation

19155186

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 19155186.