The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is proximately due to his service-connected disabilities, including obesity caused by his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus deformity, and left and right knee disabilities. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Intervertebral Disc Syndrome with Lumbar Strain, Bilateral Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis with Pes Planus Deformity, Left Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Right Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2026
- Citation
- A26003629
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26003629.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for vertigo and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for OSA and insomnia must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, as well as a failure to obtain TERA opinions on all relevant exposures.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and a separate rating for chronic pulmonary embolism due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records are considered in determining whether there is a nexus between current symptoms and service.
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