Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, and right knee meniscal tear due to an invalid form submission.

The veteran's claim for secondary service connection for depression and TDIU was granted. The claims for an earlier effective date for left shoulder disability and service connection for sleep apnea were remanded.

The veteran is granted an initial rating of 30 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prior to August 2, 2022, and a 50 percent rating thereafter.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of sleep apnea to allow for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for GERD and a higher rating for lumbosacral spine disability due to inadequate examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea was denied. The claim for a higher rating for hypothyroidism was remanded.

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to PTSD with bipolar disorder is remanded. The Board needs more medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because there is no evidence that the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and physical conditions, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain were denied. However, the veteran was granted an effective date of February 8, 2021, for service connection for various radiculopathy conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability and skin disability were dismissed. Service connection for headaches secondary to sinusitis and AFib was granted, but the claim for an initial compensable rating for sinusitis was denied. The claim for OSA is remanded.

The veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed. Service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis was granted under the PACT Act, but other issues were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 50% for sleep apnea, stating that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and idiopathic hypersomnolence due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining new medical evidence.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to asthma and allergic rhinitis due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for hypertension was dismissed due to duplicate appeals. The claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied because there is no evidence of a current heart condition. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD and MDD was granted with an effective date of September 27, 2021. Other conditions were denied or remanded.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence does not show a relationship between the condition and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of left hip joint replacement, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right hip joint replacement. The earliest possible effective date is March 26, 2021.

The veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was granted. The decision is based on the veteran's significant functional impairment and inability to maintain a substantially gainful occupation.