Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board remands the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether obesity caused by a service-connected lumbar spine disability contributed to or aggravated OSA.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during active duty in Uzbekistan, Qatar, and Afghanistan. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between OSA and either in-service events or a service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, based on a positive medical opinion linking the Veteran's obesity to his right knee disability and demonstrating that his OSA would not have occurred but for his obesity.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal in February 2025.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating and a higher disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction with or without a penile deformity and remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with lumbosacral strain and spondylolisthesis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was caused by the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board granted service connection for lumbar disc herniation and herniated nucleus pulposus of lumbosacral region, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to the service-connected lumbar conditions.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for entitlement to earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for a right ankle disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, and lumbosacral disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, lumbosacral strain, cold weather injuries, sinusitis, degenerative arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to obtain a TERA memorandum and appropriate medical examinations.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was dismissed as the benefits sought have been granted.

The proposed severance of service connection for various conditions was dismissed as the Veteran's appeal was invalid due to the nature of the May 2024 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, stenosis, and IVDS based on a favorable finding by the RO that new and relevant evidence had been received to readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome, left foot sprain, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD recurrent, severe. However, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, granting a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, with obesity as an intermediate step.