The Veteran's right lateral epicondylitis is related to in-service injuries and granted service connection.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as the disorder began during active service.,Degenerative arthritis of the right knee and arthritis of the right ankle are not service-connected, with no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0% (noncompensable) due to current hearing acuity levels.
The deciding factor: Service connection for lateral epicondylitis was granted based on a nexus between the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current condition, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Obstructive sleep apnea was found to have begun during service due to credible lay testimony from the Veteran's wife.,Degenerative arthritis of the right knee and arthritis of the right ankle were not service-connected as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service, despite the Veteran's assertions.,Bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0% (noncompensable) based on current hearing acuity levels.
- Claimed conditions
- Lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow, Obstructive sleep apnea, Degenerative arthritis of the right knee, Arthritis of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- October 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19176363
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic rhinitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The headache claim was remanded for further examination.
- Partly granted
The appeal was denied for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, and several claims were remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
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