The Board finds that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or symptoms.
The deciding factor: The April 2009 VA examiner opined that the current obstructive sleep apnea is less likely than not caused by or related to the service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, based on the Veteran's reported onset and treatment history post-service. The July 2009 private opinion from Dr. A.R., while suggesting a possible link between diabetes and sleep apnea, lacks sufficient rationale.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1644781
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 1644781.
What this means for you
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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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