Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

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

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression, based on the evidence showing a link between the Veteran's symptoms and his service in Vietnam.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and several related conditions, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, neck disability, arm radiculopathy, headaches, left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for higher ratings for depressive disorder and ankle strains was denied.

The Board granted service connection for actinic keratosis and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Board remands the matter for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar disability during flare-ups to be provided by an independent medical expert.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not begin in nor is related to his military service and is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and shin splints of both legs, as well as status as a veteran for VA benefits based on the period of service from February 1987 to August 1996.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to deficiencies in prior medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to ensure compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding VA medical opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service symptoms.

The Board remands the matters of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for a respiratory disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to the Veteran's challenge regarding the competency of the VA examiner.

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

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis from October 13, 2022, due to improper procedural guidelines in implementing the rating reduction.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, tinnitus, cervical spine, and/or gastroesophageal reflux disease disabilities, and an increase rating of 30 percent for GERD.

The appeal for service connection for left knee, lumbosacral strain, and cold injury of feet was granted based on new evidence. The claims for the other conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right knee strain, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or continuity of symptoms. The claim for degenerative disc disease was remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee strain as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected right knee strain, but dismissed his appeal for tinnitus and remanded claims for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (OST) due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and an initial rating of 100 percent for right knee instability s/p ACL reconstruction, and remanded claims related to adjustment disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the November 2023 TERA opinions are inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.