Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the etiology of the condition.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic plantar calluses of the bilateral feet, while remanding the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and right leg condition.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disorder. An initial rating of 80 percent was also granted for tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal (generalized convulsive seizures).

The Board denied service connection for diverticulitis and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as there were duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the issuance of the November 2024 rating decision on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD, chronic sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for chronic headaches and a right fifth finger disability were denied.

The Board granted service connection for left hip piriformis syndrome and denied service connection for a right hip disability. The appeals of the March 3, 2023 proposal to reduce the rating for lumbosacral strain and the August 2022 rating decision regarding initial rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and service connection for left knee condition were dismissed.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was granted as May 20, 2014, and a rating of 50 percent was denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and remanded claims for service connection for eczema, COPD, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, bilateral restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and lung nodules.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, valvular heart disease, and/or supraventricular arrhythmia.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to ensure adequate medical opinions are obtained, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his obesity and subsequently caused or aggravated his OSA.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an eye tumor, right eye blindness, and sleep apnea due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the November 2023 VA medical opinions.

The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for obstructive sleep apnea, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, based on a nexus established through obesity.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to untimely notices of disagreement. The claim for sleep apnea was remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbosacral musculoligamentous strain, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, right ankle sprain, and allergic rhinitis. Service connection was granted for eczema (claimed as dermatitis) but denied for sinusitis, cirrhosis of the liver, cervical strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and left ankle strain.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea was dismissed due to untimely filing, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (other than depressive disorder) and an increased rating for depressive disorder were denied based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective March 27, 2024. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hand, left ankle strain, and right knee strain were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether it is due to conceded in-service toxic exposures.