The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as it is aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) is denied as it is not attributable to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and no higher, as he does not require insulin or restriction of activities.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted effective March 31, 2014. The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's depressive disorder aggravates his service-connected diabetes mellitus, warranting service connection.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder, warranting service connection.,The VA examiners determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and no higher because he does not require insulin or restriction of activities.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted effective March 31, 2014. The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), type II diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18144447
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 18144447.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches with an initial rating of 50 percent effective from August 10, 2022, and denied the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, kidney disability, low back disability, and erectile dysfunction.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.