The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing that obesity caused by the service-connected condition led to the development of sleep apnea, which in turn caused the peripheral neuropathies.
The deciding factor: The Board found a nexus between the service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder and the Veteran's obesity, which was an intermediate step leading to his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner concluded that without the obesity, the sleep apnea would not have developed, thus supporting secondary service connection for all related disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Right Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2023
- Citation
- 23059149
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 23059149.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified insomnia disorder.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, including coronary artery disease, as these conditions are found to be proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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