Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, lumbosacral strain (claimed as back injury), mental health disorder, and right knee condition due to untimely filing of a notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected rosacea, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, a left elbow disability, a low back disability, and right and left knee disabilities based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to his active-duty service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back, left knee, right knee, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, as the evidence was in at least approximate balance regarding its onset during active duty. The claims for sleep apnea and left knee condition were remanded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including OSA, bilateral hearing loss, shoulder and spine disabilities, right foot disability, CAD, HTN, and gallbladder removal residuals.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but denied increased ratings for residuals of right arm/shoulder shell fragment wound and right upper eyelid and right nostril laceration scars, and remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine condition, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, sleep apnea, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) for further development.

The Board granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea based on new and material evidence, specifically the Veteran's presumed exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act. The appeal was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and obesity, and for a heart condition (atrial fibrillation) due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's disability rating for circumferential disc bulge L4-5 with central canal stenosis and chronic low back pain, status post L5-S1 laminectomy was increased to 50 percent, effective May 7, 2011. The Board also granted TDIU and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The appeal for service connection for a respiratory disability was dismissed as the Veteran's claims for COPD with asthma were fully granted in an October 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance from May 25, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include other specified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder. The appeal as to the propriety of the discontinuance of non-service-connected pension with aid and attendance benefits on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was withdrawn.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to chronic headaches due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and a duty to assist error regarding SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for separate ratings for his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and asthma disabilities, as VA regulations explicitly preclude the assignment of separate ratings for these coexisting respiratory conditions.

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

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it to be proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain with arthritis, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and insomnia to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.