The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's sleep apnea required a CPAP machine but did not meet criteria for a higher rating. His diabetes mellitus was manageable by restricted diet and one or more daily injections of insulin or an oral glycemic agent, which did not warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Chondromalacia Patella, Calcific Tendonitis of the Quadriceps, Left Knee, Chondromalacia Patella, Calcific Tendonitis of the Quadriceps, Right Knee, Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain, Left Ankle, Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain, Right Ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 29, 2025
- Citation
- A25047796
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and bilateral radiculopathy and neuropathy of the lower extremities.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 50 percent rating.
- Partly granted
The appeal for entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, while other appeals were dismissed as untimely and remanded for further action on essential tremors.
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.