The Veteran's service connection claims for anal fissures, respiratory disability (claimed as asthma), right knee disability, and sleep apnea are all granted. The claim for a respiratory disability is denied due to lack of evidence of such condition during or after service. Service connection for the right knee disability is also denied because there was no in-service injury or disease that resulted in current symptoms. Sleep apnea is denied as well.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's anal fissures and anal fistulas were manifested during service, with subsequent recurrence since service, warranting service connection. The respiratory disability (claimed as asthma) was not shown to be present or related to service. There was no in-service right knee injury or disease, nor continuous symptoms of arthritis post-service. Sleep apnea was not diagnosed or noted during service and is denied.
- Claimed conditions
- anal fissures, anal fistulas, respiratory disability (other than sleep apnea), right knee disability, sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22041382
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 22041382.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
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