Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities.

The deciding factor: Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be caused by the combined effects of service-connected disease or injury, including resulting obesity. The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

Claimed conditions
obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability
How they argued it
Secondary to another service-connected condition
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
May 18, 2021
Citation
21030287

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 21030287.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

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.