Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for higher ratings for sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and lumbosacral strain, as the earliest date VA received his intent to file a claim was November 30, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability based on a private medical opinion that linked the condition to PTSD.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral spine strain from December 28, 2021, and granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to UTSRD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with thoracic strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure that the RO considers both the old and new criteria for evaluating disabilities of the spine.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as the earliest possible date for entitlement to arise was October 4, 2023, which is when the Veteran's primary disabilities of chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the right ankle and no current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea based on the evidence showing a current disability, in-service symptoms, and a positive nexus between the in-service events and the current condition.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the claim for an addendum opinion to address the theories of entitlement based on obesity as an intermediate step between OSA and service-connected PTSD and femur disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea and left rotator cuff tear including acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board granted service connection for central sleep apnea, finding that the condition began during the Veteran's active service.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to a concurrent election of review options.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and obstructive sleep apnea, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial disability ratings due to a duty to assist error, as well as entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, resolving any reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD and denied ratings in excess of 50 percent for OSA, IBS, and headaches. The Board also granted service connection for right elbow, left wrist, neck, and left leg shin splints conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, OSA, type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities to obtain additional evidence and opinions.