Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD, but denied service connection for benign prostate hyperplasia.

The Board denied a disability rating higher than 70 percent for major depressive disorder with PTSD but granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the same condition, effective February 15, 2024.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, but denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, intestinal condition (chronic colitis), and chronic migraine disability.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and remanded claims for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma, as the evidence failed to demonstrate a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the claims for left shoulder disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to missing evidence.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to obtain a VA medical opinion that addresses the likely etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed OSA, considering her toxic risk exposure activities during service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine condition, and right ankle condition.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was caused by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and an earlier effective date of May 14, 2018, for radiculopathy right lower extremity. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's obesity, which was caused by his service-connected back condition, led to the development of sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including inadequate VA examinations and failure to obtain etiological opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for sleep apnea, left ankle scar, painful left ankle scar, acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), left foot metatarsalgia, and right knee limitation of flexion. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left foot neuropathy and 20 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection and increased ratings, resulting in their dismissal.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as the benefit sought has already been granted in full.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The claims for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis with right foot Morton's neuroma were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis, while remanding the claims for lumbosacral strain and plantar fasciitis of the left and right foot.

The Board granted an effective date of June 7, 2021, for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to include asthma.