The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. His headaches are rated at the maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is not higher than 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA Sleep Apnea Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) completed by a private doctor found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was proximately caused by his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, resulting in weight gain and obesity. The Board granted service connection for this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Lumbosacral Strain, Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease (post-surgery), Left Knee Lateral Instability (post-surgery)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 3, 2024
- Citation
- A24023158
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 A24023158.
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.
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.