The Board found that chronic obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome did not have their onset during active military service and are not the result of exposure to chemical herbicides.
The deciding factor: VA's Secretary has determined that a presumption of service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange used in Vietnam, is not warranted for any condition, including sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic obstructive sleep apnea, Restless leg syndrome
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2010
- Citation
- 1013840
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 1013840.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 8, 2024. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for restless leg syndrome of both legs and denied his claim for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran is now rated at 70% for generalized anxiety disorder, effective from July 11, 2019.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD and restless leg syndrome, denied service connection for a respiratory disorder other than sinusitis and rhinitis, and granted an initial rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder effective August 18, 2022.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for sinusitis, service connection for a prostate condition, and service connection for restless leg syndrome.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.