diabetes Sleep Apnea Secondary To Physical Disabilities

[JayBrown1]

Since my last post on this subject and reading appeal decisions I found several claims where sleep apnea was granted secondary due to left knee disability. Left knee fused, claimant gained weight, developed sleep apnea and diabetes due to forced sedentary lifestyle from left knee fusion-Docket No. 98-12 648A dated 6/17/05.

I am in a similar situation, I too have had a left knee fusion(1989) and have gained weight and developed sleep apnea to include high blood pressure.

Are there other veterans who have something similar?

[tssnave]

Jay,

Following your line of reasoning, I wonder if anyone has had sleep apnea and diabetes granted as secondary to sc depression since two of the manifestations of being depressed can be overeating as well as being sedentary which could lead to sleep apnea and diabetes. hmmm.....

If anyone knows of a court case that would illustrate this secondary link to a mental disability as well as the physical disability he's queried about, please post it.

Thanks,

ts

[Vike17]

It's all about the medical nexus. If a doctor opines that one condition/disability is at least as likely as not the result of the other and he/she gives a full rational as to why they have come to that particular conclusion, then VA will grant service-connection for the said disability on a secondary basis.

Vike 17