Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected OSA and obesity contributed to his dilated cardiomyopathy, which was the cause of death.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and a refractive error (ametropic amblyopia), finding no current diagnosis of these conditions during the pendency of the claim. The claim for erectile dysfunction was remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for asthma, but granted service connection for a left hip disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back condition, acquired psychiatric condition, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for insomnia disorder, history of nasal fracture, deviated septum, status post septoplasty and nasal turbinate reduction, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board remands all claims for service connection due to pre-decisional errors in the duty to assist, including missing service treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to obtain a medical opinion regarding its etiology, considering the Veteran's in-service exposures.

The veteran was granted a 70 percent initial rating for somatic symptom disorder, and a 20 percent initial rating for intervertebral disc syndrome lumbosacral spine. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hip arthritis, but denied service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis. The decision also denied increased ratings for knee disabilities and a compensable rating for PFB.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to asthma due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in calendar year 2021 for triamcinolone 0.023% topical cream due to insufficient evidence showing that the medication causes irreparable damage to his clothing.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, varicose veins, and lumbosacral strain as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to active duty.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to tinnitus, due to outstanding private treatment records and an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), and impotency/erectile dysfunction, all from March 14, 2014.

The appeal for service connection for COPD, interstitial lung disease, and sleep apnea was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, a stomach disability (upper and lower), and chronic fatigue syndrome as the evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, chronic kidney disease, cell bladder carcinoma, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal issues, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty for training.

The Veteran's right knee condition has been granted a disability rating of 10 percent from November 7, 2014. The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.