The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, arthritis, cancer of the larynx, pulmonary embolism, peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, renal cell cancer, and sleep apnea, as there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record did not persuasively weigh in favor of finding that any of the claimed conditions began during active service or were otherwise caused by service.
- Claimed conditions
- alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, arthritis, cancer of the larynx, pulmonary embolism (claimed as blood clots), peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity, renal cell cancer (claimed as kidney cancer), sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25045046
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal to obtain a VA medical opinion that considers the Veteran's contentions of in-service training with heavy gear and equipment.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and no competent evidence linking the condition to service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
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