Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, it denied an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with vertigo.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence to support a link between the conditions and the Veteran's military service. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for panic disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and remanded the claims for service connection for migraines and sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on the evidence of record, including lay statements and a positive medical nexus opinion.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, but remanded other issues including entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's attempts to appeal rating decisions that denied service connection for various conditions and reduced his evaluation, as the appeals were not timely filed.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed as the Board decision and AOJ implementation effectively granted the Veteran's claim.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to obesity caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and a low back disability, but denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraines and denied increased ratings for dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. The remaining claims for service connection were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the condition did not begin in service and was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, as well as remanded one issue.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding a link to the Veteran's in-service burn pit exposure.

The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis on a presumptive basis, but denied service connection for lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and relevant evidence being received.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20% rating for lumbosacral strain and denied a rating greater than 20%, as well as service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to obtain a complete TERA opinion that considers all of the Veteran's toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 20.802(a).

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not show that the Veteran required a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to tinnitus due to an inadequate medical opinion.