Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted readjudication of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, and obstructive sleep apnea based on new evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's forward flexion remains greater than 60 degrees and his combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine continues to exceed 120 degrees, even with repeated use over time.

The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss were reopened but denied. The claims for service connection for headaches to include as secondary to tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma, as the Veteran did not file a timely appeal or submit new and material evidence within one year of the September 2013 denial.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea to obtain a new VA opinion addressing the nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his period of active duty, as well as whether any of his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity which in turn led to OSA.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left hip condition, right shoulder condition, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to obtain additional medical opinions.

The appeal for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, spinal fusion, and spinal stenosis, and for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lower back pain, while remanding the claim for migraines.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as the evidence shows that the Veteran's OSA began during active service and continued to the present.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and/or knees disability due to a more probative private medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, but dismissed the appeal for service connection for foot pain and denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance from June 18, 2019 to October 7, 2022 due to his service-connected conditions requiring regular assistance.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, prior to January 8, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for bilateral tinnitus was remanded.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, but no higher.

The Board granted service connection for a respiratory condition, to include sleep apnea, but denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence supports a link between the Veteran's condition and his active military service.