The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, gout in the feet and hands, sleep apnea, and hypertension (high blood pressure).,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs were silent for any complaints, treatment, or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions. The Board found that there was no medical opinion linking the conditions to service and noted the passage of time between separation from service and initial diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"rheumatoid arthritis","issues_on_appeal":["service connection"]}, {"condition_name":"gout in the feet and hands","issues_on_appeal":["service connection"]}, {"condition_name":"sleep apnea","issues_on_appeal":["service connection"]}, {"condition_name":"hypertension (high blood pressure)","issues_on_appeal":["service connection"]}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20008193
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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