The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, right ankle chip fracture distal lateral malleolus, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome associated with the right ankle condition as they were not shown to be related to or caused by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset in service, was otherwise related to service, or was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, right ankle chip fracture distal lateral malleolus, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome associated with right ankle chip fracture distal lateral malleolus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25025652
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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