Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The veteran's effective date for service connection of chronic kidney disease and hypertension was granted as September 11, 2015. The effective date for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea was denied. The rating claim for renal cancer was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted because the Board found that his sleep apnea had its onset during active-duty service.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding it is secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability through obesity.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms and persistent observable symptoms since service.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was dismissed because the veteran withdrew their appeal.

The veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disorder was denied. The veteran was granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. Several other claims were remanded.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were denied. However, the veteran was granted a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and lumbosacral strain on and after February 8, 2018.

The appeal regarding the severance of service connection for PTSD was dismissed. Service connection for sleep apnea disorder was denied. The severance of service connection for hypertension was proper, while the severances for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, right knee tendinitis, left knee tendinitis, and erectile dysfunction were improper and service connection was restored. The issue of service connection for a headache disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, was remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus were granted. The claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied, and the claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right foot, left foot, and sleep apnea disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. The claims for carotid artery blockage, residuals of lung cancer, residuals of neck cancer, and acquired psychiatric disability were remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye condition and obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The claim for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions but granted a 20% rating for right knee strain effective February 18, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's anxiety condition, heart failure, right toe pain, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbosacral strain. The veteran's rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied higher ratings for the veteran's service-connected sleep apnea, neck disability, and low back disability. The Board also dismissed claims related to educational assistance and radiculopathy.

The veteran's psychiatric disability rating was increased to 70% starting April 8, 2020. The veteran is also granted TDIU beginning April 8, 2020. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, jaw condition, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as well as for an increased rating for headaches. The Board found pre-decisional errors in assisting the Veteran with his claims.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for several conditions were denied, but some issues related to service connection and ratings were remanded for further review.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a low back disability because additional development is needed, including an adequate etiology opinion.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claims for headache disorder and sleep apnea are remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of multiple conditions was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.