How can I claim...........

[pctinc2001]

Is there a way I can service connect my diabetes and my sleep apnea. I have been suffering from sometimes severe back pain from a service related injury. How can I connect the two if was never mentioned in my service records. I injured my back while on a rotation at NTC. After injuring my back i was on a profile for the last 16months, before they Chaptered me for weight control (218lbs). Before my injury I never had a problem with my weight.  when I finally got my c-file i learned that i was up for the MEB, but they chaptered me before that. Again, how can I sc diabetes and sleep apnea?

[broncovet]

You connect these 2 with "evidence".  Does your doctor say that your sleep apnea is at least as likely as not because of your diabetes??  

If not, then you will need medical evidence to support your hypothesis of a link between diabetes and sleep apnea.  

Secondary conditions need 2 things:

1. Current diagnosis (of sleep apnea).

2.  Nexus or medical link between your diabetes and sleep apnea.  

If you have this evidence in place, you should be able to win sc for OSA, however, if you do not have described evidence, you will need same, such as an IMO/IME to get service connection.