The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated as noncompensable prior to November 6, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II were also not found to be related to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was denied as it did not have its onset during service or is otherwise unrelated to his service. His hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II were also not found to be related to service. The Board acknowledged the Veteran's contention that his obstructive sleep apnea may be related to in-service snoring but found this insufficient evidence for a direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not report characteristic prostrating attacks of migraine headaches prior to November 6, 2019. The Board concluded the Veteran's migraines occurred with less frequent attacks during the appeal period.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea to service or secondary to a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not seek medical attention for his sleep apnea within one year of separation from active duty and post-service treatment records reflect diagnosis in 2016, which is about 23 years after separation.,The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II were not shown to have onset during service or be related to a service-connected disability. The Board acknowledged the Veteran’s contention but found insufficient evidence for direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20051166
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 20051166.
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 service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- 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 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.
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