Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy, COPD, and keratinization skin disorders were denied. The claim for TDIU prior to January 30, 2021 was dismissed as moot. The claim for OSA was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on a secondary basis to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 and bilateral peripheral neuropathy has been granted.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because the VA did not provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the cause of OSA. The Veteran will receive a new examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches and BPPV were granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and thyroid disability were denied. The claims for sleep disability and fatigue disability were remanded.

The veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection and benefits was granted. The Board determined that the veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date of May 31, 2019, for TBI with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, TDIU, and DEA. Additionally, the veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date of April 22, 2021, for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, xerosis, erectile dysfunction, and SMC.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a pulmonary disability, including as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, is granted. The Board found that the veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea contributed to his pulmonary disability.

The veteran's rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was restored to 20 percent. The veteran is also granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected prostate cancer residuals was granted, with the effective date set to August 23, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to November 12, 2022, for service connection of several conditions. The earliest effective date allowed by law is November 12, 2022.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of a left hip disability and lumbosacral strain, both secondary to a service-connected left patellofemoral syndrome. The VA needs to conduct adequate examinations.

The appeal for GERD was dismissed because it was already granted service connection. The appeal for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded for further consideration.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. The Board needs more medical evidence to decide if these conditions are related to the veteran's service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, both directly and as secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not show a link between the veteran's service and the current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence. The Veteran's sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, is being reviewed for direct service connection as well as secondary service connection to his service-connected PTSD and rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's spouse is now represented in this appeal.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for GERD and service connection for lower lumbar strain were denied. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's sleep apnea, finding it secondary to his service-connected atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The veteran withdrew their appeal, so the Board dismissed all issues related to ratings and effective dates for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The veteran withdrew the appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for migraine headaches. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded.