Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, with obesity acting as an intermediate step.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board granted service connection 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 hypertension.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of April 21, 2023, for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and an award of service connection for OSA, and August 10, 2022, for an award of service connection for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis as due to in-service participation in a TERA.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the lack of a current diagnosis, and remanded other claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for colitis and left shoulder disability, while denying service connection for sleep apnea and right shoulder disability.

The appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis from the May 2023 higher-level review decision was dismissed due to duplicative appeals.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and remanded claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome, cholecystectomy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The claim for service connection for migraine headaches was dismissed as there is no issue of fact or law for the Board to decide.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of sleep apnea to obtain an addendum opinion regarding its relationship with the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis with sinus headache.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for hearing loss, a higher initial rating for tinnitus, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including as secondary to tinnitus.

The Board granted a 40 percent initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome; 20 percent initial disability ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy; and a 10 percent disability rating for limitation of extension in the left hip due to osteoarthritis. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, lumbosacral strain, right foot hallux valgus and capsulitis, right knee meniscal tear, right hand mild to moderate osteoarthritis and ULC MPC calcification calcium deposit of bursa with right thumb chronic UCL injury, and osteoarthritis, joint of left thumb. The claim for a left foot disability was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, cracked tooth, sleep apnea, and shortness of breath due to a late filing request.

The Board remands the matter to obtain additional private treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his death.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a back condition, granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right shoulder bursitis prior to January 15, 2020, and a 30 percent rating effective from that date. The Board also denied an initial compensable rating for dermatophytosis and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective February 28, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disability as it was aggravated beyond its natural progression by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) disability.