The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with nasal polyposis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II, based on the evidence showing that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to toxic chemical exposures during active service.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted because the medical opinions provided by D.D.Z, M.D., and J.C.L., D.O., indicated a nexus between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and in-service toxic chemical exposures, particularly trichloroethylene (TCE).
- Claimed conditions
- allergic rhinitis with nasal polyposis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2022
- Citation
- 22000667
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 service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- 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.
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