The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, left hip degenerative arthritis and right hip degenerative arthritis.
The deciding factor: The private medical opinion provided by S.B., M.D., PhD., supported that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected lumbar spine and hip conditions via an intermediary role of obesity, which was deemed to be a predominant factor due to the functional limitations imposed by these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25105175
Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine
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.