The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected upper airway resistance syndrome, varicosis of the right lower extremity, and spider angiomata of the left thigh has been denied. The Board found that prior to September 27, 2013, the Veteran did not require a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine for his sleep disorder. From September 27, 2013, he was not productive of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale and had not required a tracheostomy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's upper airway resistance syndrome did not require the use of a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine prior to September 27, 2013, and was not productive of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale from that date onward.
- Claimed conditions
- upper airway resistance syndrome, varicosis, right lower extremity, spider angiomata, left thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 15, 2018
- Citation
- 1809602
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 1809602.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for upper airway resistance syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing the appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is found to have caused his diagnosed upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and unspecified sleep apnea, which are now granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claim for upper airway resistance syndrome to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the condition is related to the Veteran's active service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a breathing sleep disorder, to include upper airway resistance syndrome and sleep apnea, as an adequate VA medical examination and opinion are needed.
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