The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain. The decision was based on probative medical evidence showing that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was caused by his service-connected lumbar strain through obesity as an intermediate step.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise and granted the claim based on the benefit of the doubt rule.

Claimed conditions

obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar strain

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 15, 2025

Citation

A25003919

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