The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence linking the condition to service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a grant of service connection on either direct or secondary basis.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was less likely than not related to his military service and was not caused by any service-connected disability, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- {"conditionName":"Obstructive Sleep Apnea"}
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2017
- Citation
- 1703124
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1703124.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis have been granted. The initial disability ratings for the right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are set at 20 percent each, while the lumbar spine strain is denied a rating in excess of 40 percent.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it was not caused or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's current condition is more likely related to age and/or post-service weight gain.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted and is currently rated at 70 percent.,Obstructive sleep apnea was also found to be related to the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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