Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and sleep apnea have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, so he is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed because the veteran died before a decision could be made. The dismissal does not affect the right of an eligible person to take the Veteran's place to continue the appeal on the pending claim(s).

The veteran's claim for service connection of a heart condition was denied. The veteran was granted an increased disability rating for their lumbar spine condition and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, but denied a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition and temporary total disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been sent back for more evidence. The VA needs to get Social Security records and the Veteran should fill out a form.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will have an opportunity to provide evidence supporting the theories of obesity as an intermediate step and any toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

Service connection for memory loss was denied. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hiatal hernia (also claimed as acid reflux). The Veteran's service in Vietnam from April 1966 to September 1969 is noted, including exposure to herbicides.

The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, is remanded for further development. The Board needs more information to make a decision.

The Board vacated its previous decision and remanded the appeal for further review of new evidence. The Veteran's claims for various conditions and ratings will be re-evaluated.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic kidney disease due to inadequate medical opinions provided by the VA.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities to obtain additional evidence and provide new opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to changes in secondary service connection law and the need for a new medical opinion addressing the correct legal standards.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition, lumbar spine condition, gastrointestinal condition (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the veteran's service-connected low back and bilateral ankle disabilities. The decision was based on medical opinions that OSA was not caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), was granted. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and opinions, particularly regarding the Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms prior to his 2009 diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to hypertension, has been granted.

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is remanded to obtain a proper medical opinion on the secondary service connection theory.

Service connection for vertigo, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right elbow condition, left elbow condition, left shin splint condition, traumatic brain injury, sleep apnea, left wrist condition, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy was denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right wrist condition, back condition, and right ankle condition was remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a left shoulder strain rating was dismissed. Service connection for OSA was granted, but higher ratings for left shoulder and thoracolumbar strains were denied.