Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's sleep apnea from September 20, 2022, to November 14, 2023.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the issues of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) based on OSA alone, and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions, finding that no evidence supported an earlier date of claim or entitlement.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition had its onset during his active service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and weight gain.

The Board granted restoration of the 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain and denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent. The claims for service connection for a thoracic back condition and TDIU were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea for readjudication based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and chronic bronchitis, but granted service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.,The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and sinusitis. The claims for hypertension, gout (left foot/toe, right foot/toe, left ankle, right ankle), and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, and right ankle with right Achilles tendonitis/tendon rupture.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbosacral spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for an addendum opinion addressing aggravation of the Veteran's sleep apnea by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology and relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding non-VA treatment records and a medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

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

The appeal for a higher disability rating for the degenerative lumbosacral spine condition was dismissed as it pertains to an implementation of a previous Board decision, which is not appealable.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to PTSD based on a positive nexus found between the two conditions.

The Board remands the case for a new VA examination to provide an adequate opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and their service.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, while denying increased ratings for IVDS with lumbosacral strain and remanding an issue related to total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board remands the case to obtain a sleep study report from April 2016 that was previously discussed but not included in the claims file.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient evidence.