The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and denied her claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service, based on a lack of diagnosis during service and insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Sleep Apnea Syndrome, Chronic Respiratory Problems (including allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, coughing, sinusitis, and wheezing)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1637518
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 1637518.
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.
- Dismissed
Your claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed because your Notice of Disagreement was not filed within the one-year deadline after the denial letter.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for PTSD was dismissed as service connection had already been granted.,Service connection for a deviated septum is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and musculoskeletal disabilities. The decision finds that the Veteran's current obesity, which is a result of his service-connected disabilities, contributes to his sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service symptoms and current condition.
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.