Service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected migraine headaches is denied, with the reduction from 30 percent to 10 percent being improper and the 30 percent rating restored.,The effective date for service-connected lumbar spine disability remains October 16, 2014.
The deciding factor: There is no probative evidence that the Veteran's sleep apnea or diabetes mellitus were incurred in active service. The reduction from a 30 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for migraine headaches was not proper as it did not reflect an improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, which requires characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once every two months. The reduction from 30 percent to 10 percent was improper as it did not reflect an improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.,The effective date for service-connected lumbar spine disability remains October 16, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18139690
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 18139690.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
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