The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, residuals of pilonidal cyst disease (claimed as 'surgery tailbone'), arthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted. The issues of separate evaluations for a right knee/leg disability are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which in turn led to his current obstructive sleep apnea, residuals of pilonidal cyst disease, arthritis, and GERD.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Residuals of Pilonidal Cyst Disease (claimed as 'surgery tailbone'), Arthritis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26036166
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 A26036166.
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 has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified insomnia disorder.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, including coronary artery disease, as these conditions are found to be proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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