The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed the remaining claims. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left and right ankle disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and depression.
The deciding factor: The Board found that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was caused by his service-connected left and right ankle disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability, to include as due to weight gain caused by inactivity attributable to the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), heart disability, respiratory disability, right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis, labral tear, and degenerative arthritis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee instability, right knee ACL tear, tibial plateau fracture, and patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee scars, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, avulsion fracture, and laxity, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, tendonitis, and Achilles tendon rupture, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with sacroiliac (SI) dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- July 22, 2024
- Citation
- A24039677
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 A24039677.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- 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.
- 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.
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.