Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a respiratory disorder (sinusitis and rhinitis), and obstructive sleep apnea based on presumptive service connection due to Persian Gulf War service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, asthma (presumptive basis), peripheral neuropathy of the left posterior leg as secondary to status post left leg tumor removal, and bilateral pes planus. It also granted an effective date of May 5, 2016, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for TMJ associated with PTSD, MDD, GAD, and bruxism.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a left knee disorder due to deficiencies in the evidence of record.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to lumbosacral strain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an initial disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and remanded the issues related to hypertension, aortic insufficiency and mitral valve regurgitation, a breathing condition, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU as there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between his right shoulder strain and lumbosacral strain, and his cervical spine disability did not warrant a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence that it was caused by or incurred during service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and unspecified anxiety disorder, as further development is necessary. The claim for left big toenail condition was denied.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as no new and material evidence was received prior to the expiration of the appeal period.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea, as the Veteran's condition required the use of a continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome to obtain an updated VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The appeal regarding the duty to assist error for the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and granted a 10 percent initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee scars, and initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with cervical herniated disk and sleep apnea, resulting in the dismissal of both claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded several issues including service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for various hip and back conditions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for sleep apnea to obtain a more comprehensive medical opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is aggravated by chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis, as well as to address potential presumptive service connections under the PACT Act.

The Board granted an effective date prior to June 17, 2018, for the grant of service connection for cervicogenic headaches and a rating of 60 percent for pulmonary embolism. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, as well as remanded a claim related to his spine disorder.