The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to PTSD.,Service connection for the respiratory disability (emphysema and COPD) due to service-connected asbestosis is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hip arthritis is denied, with no evidence of onset during or within one year after service.,Sleep apnea is remanded for a determination on whether it is caused by or aggravated by PTSD.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension was found to be secondary to obesity rather than PTSD. The VA examiner noted that obesity accounts for 26% of cases of hypertension, and the Board finds this less probative than the medical article linking PTSD to an increased risk of hypertension.,The respiratory disability (emphysema and COPD) is not service-connected because smoking history is a significant risk factor. The VA examiner found that asbestos exposure is not a well-documented significant risk factor for COPD or emphysema, which are obstructive airway diseases.,There is no evidence of bilateral hip arthritis during service, with the first note indicating hip pain occurring 36 years after service. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not related to service and more likely age-related.,The VA examiner found that sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, respiratory disability (emphysema and COPD), bilateral hip arthritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20023120
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 20023120.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
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- Denied
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