The Veteran's service-connected rhinosinusitis is found to be a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, which has been granted as secondary to his service-connected condition. The claim of PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence and the absence of a diagnosis conforming to DSM-5 criteria. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown during or after service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his service-connected rhinosinusitis, which is considered a risk factor for this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- August 15, 2023
- Citation
- 23045279
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 23045279.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
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