The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is found to have had its onset during active service and is therefore service-connected.,Chronic bronchitis is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any other cause.,Essential tremors of the bilateral upper extremities are not service-connected as there is no link between the disability and service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis was more likely than not related to his military experience, including a grenade incident during basic training.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's OSA began in service based on his reports of loud snoring and cessation of breathing during sleep by fellow service members.,VA examination revealed no evidence of chronic bronchitis during active service. The current diagnosis is attributed to post-service asbestos exposure, which is not considered a service-connected condition.,The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's essential tremors are more likely related to genetic factors rather than his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disability, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Chronic Bronchitis, Essential Tremors of the Bilateral Upper Extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21074407
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 21074407.
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
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The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records are considered in determining whether there is a nexus between current symptoms and service.
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