Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, resolving any reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that his sleep apnea had its onset during active service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence does not support a direct link to in-service injury or disease and is less likely related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and an initial 30 percent disability rating for headaches.

The Board denied an increased rating for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, IVDS and herniated disc but granted increased ratings of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves) and remanded service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it was found to be caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder due to chronic pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, now rated as degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and joint disease of the lower thoracic spine.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right hip radicular pain, and left hip radicular pain to ensure that due process is followed and there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claims.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to obtain a new VA examination and opinions, including nexus opinions for direct and secondary service connection.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain based on the Veteran's statements and a private medical opinion.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities but denied higher ratings for diabetic nephropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and other claims.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), pain left great toe, and sleep apnea but denied increased ratings for the veteran's shoulder strain, thumb strain, wrist ganglion cyst, wrist scar, and painful scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU prior to August 30, 2019 and an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding severance of service connection for right and left lower sciatic radiculopathy and an increased rating for lumbosacral DDD during a hearing, and these issues are dismissed.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder and TDIU, but denied higher ratings for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea due to an inadequate VA opinion that did not properly address relevant lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it was not shown to be proximately caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with polysubstance dependence and amphetamine-induced anxiety disorder and/or hepatitis C with hepatosplenomegaly and cirrhosis.

The Board remands the claim for a higher initial rating for status post septoplasty/nasal polyp removal to obtain additional medical opinions and ensure compliance with prior directives.