The Veteran's GERD, sleep apnea, and bilateral TMJ dysfunction have been granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension has also been granted an increased rating to 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported the grant of service connection for GERD as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease, and for sleep apnea as secondary to his TMJ dysfunction. The Veteran's bilateral TMJ dysfunction was rated at 30 percent based on inter-incisal range of 21-29 mm with dietary restrictions. His hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- GERD, sleep apnea, bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20067028
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and no competent evidence linking the condition to service.
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