Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted an effective date of December 12, 2023, for the 60 percent evaluation of prostate cancer status post robotic assisted radical retropubic with residual voiding dysfunction. The claims for earlier effective dates for a painful prostatectomy scar and sleep apnea with pleural plaques were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for costochondritis which was granted.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error related to obtaining a 2008 sleep study report.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee and back conditions, finding that the proper effective date is May 20, 2021.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and increased rating claims, dismissing all issues.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for left knee surgical scars and remanded the claim for a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 14, 2016, and remanded issues related to the left knee instability and special monthly compensation.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for hypertension from January 31, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and a heart disorder as there was no evidence of onset or aggravation during active duty, and the conditions were not related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's active military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted a maximum 50 percent rating for the initial rating period from September 10, 2013 to September 10, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and a migraine condition, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and dismissed the appeal for a left shoulder disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the claim.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, but remanded claims for a left shoulder disability and TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a clear and unmistakable error in the March 2013 decision.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to obtain an adequate medical opinion that considers the Veteran's specific symptoms, records, and lay statements.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and annual tear to obtain a more accurate assessment of the Veteran's disability without considering the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, but not higher.

The Board remands the claim for sleep apnea to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's insomnia disorder aggravated her sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degeneration and right shoulder condition, with obesity as an intermediate step.