Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted restoration of the 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective February 1, 2024, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also granted.

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

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and missing treatment records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there were no communications from the Veteran prior to October 1, 2020 that could be construed as a formal or informal claim.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 7, 2016, as his service-connected sleep apnea and cervical disc herniation C3-C4 with cervical stenosis at C3-C7 alone were not of such nature and severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed several claims for service connection and a higher rating, including those for hypothyroidism, right achilles tendon strain, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran withdrew all claims except for service connection for sleep apnea, which was remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for depression and sleep apnea to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for echinococcosis/hydatid disease, splenectomy, mental health condition, sleep apnea, and dental condition due to an inadequate VA medical opinion with a sufficient rationale.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for restrictive lung disease and denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claim for an addendum VA medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of sleep apnea, including its potential relationship with service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, and right hip strain with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea was granted, while the initial evaluation for his hypertension was denied. An effective date of September 20, 2023, was also denied.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to procedural defects in the claims processing rules.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not show that she was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, but remanded the claims for headaches, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, lung disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders.

The Board granted service connection for a stomach disorder (claimed as reoccurring vomiting) and right ankle disability, but denied service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, hemorrhoids, PTSD, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, considering its relationship with his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and any toxic exposure.