Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent for cervical strain and lumbosacral and thoracic strain, 30 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis and right foot plantar fasciitis, and 30 percent for vertigo. The TMD and psychiatric disorder claims were denied.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), to include as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least approximately balanced as to whether the condition had its onset during active military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disabilities and musculoskeletal issues, due to deficiencies in prior examinations and the need for additional evidence related to toxic exposure during service.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine DJD with intervertebral disc syndrome prior to February 25, 2022, due to an inadequate VA opinion.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to ensure a complete record is available and an adequate medical examination is conducted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety; hysterectomy; circulation issues in bilateral lower leg areas from knee and below; lumbosacral strain; and insomnia.

The Board denied service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and dismissed the appeal for sleep apnea, while remanding the claim for rhinitis (claimed as a sinus condition) for further development.

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

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), secondary to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of both legs as secondary to the lumbosacral strain, but remanded the claim for left shoulder pain.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for sleep apnea to rectify pre-decisional errors in the previous VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence of a nexus between the in-service incurrence and the current disability, or that the service-connected disabilities caused an intermediary diagnosis of obesity which led to OSA.

The Board denied service connection for throat cancer and a rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for a compensable rating for headaches, a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and effective dates prior to November 5, 2024, for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 were remanded.

The appeal for service connection and higher ratings was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board remands the issues for further development and adjudication, including obtaining outstanding medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the VA examiners' opinions relied on erroneous information and did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his post-service symptoms.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for migraines, but denied earlier effective dates and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, left femoral nerve radiculopathy, right femoral nerve radiculopathy, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding it to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).