The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is granted. Entitlement to service connection for constipation is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for an abdominal condition (other than constipation) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for an esophageal disability, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dyspepsia, is denied.
The deciding factor: No new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claims of sleep apnea and pseudofolliculitis barbae.,New and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim for a right knee disability. The October 2018 VA examination related to the Veteran's right knee disability is considered new and material as it provides evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.,No current diagnosed disability was found, and no persuasive evidence of a relationship between any current condition and active service. The Veteran reported having issues with his bowels during active duty but did not have any complaints or diagnoses related to constipation after discharge.,No current diagnosed abdominal condition was found in the record. The Veteran's health questionnaires from 2002, 2004, and 2005 do not indicate any issues with his bowels or abdomen.,The evidence does not establish a relationship between the Veteran's esophageal disability and active service.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right knee disability, constipation, abdominal condition (other than constipation), esophageal disability (GERD and dyspepsia)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 30, 2024
- Citation
- A24086449
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 A24086449.
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- 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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