The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The left knee disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and gastrointestinal disorder are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea was more likely caused by his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. However, there is no evidence of a current left knee disability or gastrointestinal disorder, and the acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has not been clinically diagnosed during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, left knee disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), gastrointestinal disorder (gastritis)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20067218
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 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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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