Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with associated left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, as the previous examination did not adequately address the Veteran's symptoms and the effects of medication.

The appeal for service connection for a right knee disability was dismissed, and the Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 50 percent, but no higher.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with panic disorder with alcohol use disorder in early remission maintained on naltrexone.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the condition is aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board granted restoration of the 40% disability rating for lumbosacral strain, effective January 1, 2023, and denied an initial rating in excess of 40%.

The Board granted service connection for lung scarring and remanded the other issues for further development.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection for erectile dysfunction, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity nerve condition, but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 27, 2021, for the grant of a 40 percent disability rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for the residual surgical scar, status post total left knee replacement and increased ratings to 20 percent for complex regional pain syndrome in both lower extremities. Some issues were remanded.

The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for gout and the issue of TDIU on or after December 3, 2020, were dismissed. The appellant was granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 3, 2020.

The Board denied increased ratings for various conditions but granted a 30 percent rating for left and right upper extremity weakness prior to November 13, 2024, and an earlier effective date of August 27, 2010, for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis based on new and relevant evidence.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Board remands the matter for an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea began during or is causally related to active service, and whether it is caused by or aggravated by a service-connected allergic rhinitis disability.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for epilepsy, psychomotor and service connection for right middle finger scar. Several claims were withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board denied higher ratings for obstructive sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and PTSD but granted an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy but granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The rating for a deviated nasal septum was restored from May 24, 2024.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year of the April 2019 rating decision.