Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for facial numbness and pulmonary nodules, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The decision also denied an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome and a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GERD, bilateral vision impairment, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, headaches, heart disability, hypertension, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right hip condition, sleep apnea, and urinary frequency.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for residuals status post cholecystectomy, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for PTSD, as the evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction to obtain additional evidence through a VA examination.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the service-connected major depressive disorder and a higher initial disability rating for sleep apnea, as well as a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for ADHD and spondylolisthesis, cervical spinal stenosis, and neck strain as they were not ripe for review. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as it requires further development, including an adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's and his spouse's lay statements.

The Veteran's November 21, 2024 VA Form 20-0996 Request for Higher-Level Review was timely filed and the Board granted it.

The Board granted a TDIU and an effective date of October 22, 2023, for the award of a 20 percent evaluation for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to a need for an additional VA medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD based on medical opinions that found a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The veteran withdrew the appeal, and the Board dismissed all issues related to service connection for allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic respiratory disability.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and GERD due to inadequate VA examinations that do not discount the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for headaches with auras and a 10 percent rating for temporomandibular joint disorders, unspecified. Service connection was denied for various conditions including disabilities causing numbness, hearing loss, hip and spine issues, chest pain, dizziness, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, wrist disability, shortness of breath, ankle and eye pain, and sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and alcohol abuse as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective March 8, 2023, but no earlier. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability other than OSA and OSA due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence.