Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates as there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current conditions and his active military service.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as it requires further development and evidence.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, bilateral knee strain, and lumbosacral strain due to a procedural defect in docketing.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea to obtain a TERA opinion due to the Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea to ensure that a VA examination is conducted to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus and a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, but granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted an effective date of May 29, 2019 for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied earlier effective dates and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was withdrawn by the Veteran and is therefore dismissed.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative and is therefore dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, a heart condition, hypertension, a kidney condition, and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions or that they are etiologically linked to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, index and long finger impairment on right hand, ring finger impairment on right hand, little finger impairment on right hand, right heel calcaneal spur, left hip osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to March 7, 2022, while other claims were denied.

The Board granted a restoration of the separate 10 percent rating for vertigo, an earlier effective date for service connection for vertigo and migraines, and a 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism with heart murmur. The decision also denied an earlier effective date for hypertension and remanded claims for obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and individual unemployability.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's right upper extremity nerve damage and denied an increased rating for left upper extremity nerve damage. Other issues were remanded.