Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain but granted initial ratings of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and remanded the claim for service connection for a right knee disability.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied a separate compensable rating for insomnia.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including right and left shoulder strains with degenerative arthritis, right and left hip degenerative arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis with chronic instability and anterior talofibular ligament strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea, all of which are secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea to obtain an adequate VA examination addressing whether it is related to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a back disability to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 1, 2022, but denied a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS during the appeal period.

The Board denied a disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and denied an increased rating for right knee instability, while granting service connection for low back strain and sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for sleep apnea to ensure a VA examination is conducted, as the Veteran's assertions and medical records suggest potential onset during his active service in Iraq.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and urinary bladder cancer, as well as scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a condition manifested by salivary gland issues and increased the ratings for loss of teeth to 40 percent and hypothyroidism to 30 percent, while dismissing the appeal for sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as the prior examination was found inadequate.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, and OSA with insomnia, based on the evidence supporting a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knees, thoracolumbar spine, and depressive disorder disabilities.

The appeal was dismissed due to a claims processing error.

The Board granted an effective date of June 1, 2009, for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea based on new and relevant evidence received in December 2016.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches/migraines, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

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