The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claims for higher ratings or service connection are denied. His acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected as PTSD did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence to support a secondary relationship with his sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea has been rated at the maximum available rating (50%) since May 2006, and further increases are not warranted given that it does not meet criteria for chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale. His acquired psychiatric disorders do not qualify as PTSD due to lack of a confirmed stressor, and there is no evidence linking them to his service-connected sleep apnea.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Acquired Psychiatric Disorders (claimed as depressive disorder)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 27, 2013
- Citation
- 1331148
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1331148.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified insomnia disorder.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, including coronary artery disease, as these conditions are found to be proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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