The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no link between the Veteran's OSA and his in-service neck injury or any other service-connected disability. The examiner also concluded that the Veteran’s sleep apnea is not caused by medications taken for his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea (OSA), degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20034130
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 20034130.
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 Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of somatic symptom disorder. The effective date for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea (OSA) was set at February 4, 2020, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for OSA is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for sleep apnea (OSA) and a heart condition due to new evidence being submitted. The Veteran's private medical opinions linking his conditions to service are considered insufficient, and VA examinations have not provided causation opinions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for additional information regarding the relationship between his OSA and service, as well as any toxic exposure during service.
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