The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that his right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy do not warrant an increased rating.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral artery disease were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinion determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found this opinion to be of great probative value.,For diabetes mellitus, the VA examiner noted that the Veteran's diabetes was managed with insulin and a restricted diet but did not require restriction of activities. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.,The VA examination in April 2015 showed no constant pain or intermittent pain for the right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy. The neurological examination also noted normal strength and absent reflexes with decreased sensation bilaterally. No muscle atrophy was observed.,For peripheral artery disease, the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating as there were no ischemic limb pain at rest.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1759895
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 1759895.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
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