The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea and due to an undiagnosed illness is granted. The Board finds that the evidence of record is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current respiratory condition is causally related to his in-service exposure to burning oil fields while serving in Southwest Asia, and that he is therefore entitled to service connection for a respiratory condition on a direct basis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current respiratory condition is at least as likely due to his in-service exposure to burning oil fields. Resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board finds that the Veteran’s respiratory condition warrants direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19184510
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, migraines, neuropsychological signs or symptoms, and a respiratory condition. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder, lumbar spine disability, bilateral eye conditions, gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure, and left below knee amputation were remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right knee condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, low back condition with right side leg pain, left knee condition, hypertension, headaches, respiratory condition, and psychiatric disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and a respiratory condition for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's Army Reserve service records.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for neck cancer, infertility, and a respiratory condition but granted service connection for chronic sinusitis.
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