Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable rating for migraines and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a supplemental opinion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, and OSA due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction secondary to the service-connected diabetes and hypertension, hypothyroidism, esophageal cancer, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.

The appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and she has met the threshold minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. Additionally, she is entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

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

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected spondylosis at L5-S1, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and restored the 40 percent disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), while denying a higher rating for migraine headaches and remanding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder, but remanded the claim for migraine headaches due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include pes planus with MTP osteoarthritis, hallux valgus, sesamoiditis, and claw toes. The claims for COPD and compensable evaluations for bursitis were denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for migraine headaches and remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left shoulder impingement syndrome were granted increased ratings, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted as secondary to the impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, but granted a 20% rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for chronic sinusitis.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding an adequate medical opinion on the date of onset and whether the condition is related to active duty.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right arm disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, migraines, sleep apnea, and a gastrointestinal disability to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, psychiatric disability, and multiple musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The Board also denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining supplemental medical opinions to address service connection and aggravation theories.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and an acquired psychiatric disability, while dismissing the appeal for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran was also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied increased ratings for sinusitis, fibromyalgia, and IBS but granted service connection for OSA and TBI.