The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his major depressive disorder. The effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied, and the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. A TDIU is granted.
The deciding factor: The decision affirms that the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his major depressive disorder, granting secondary service connection for this condition. The effective date claim for tinnitus was denied as no formal or informal claim prior to January 30, 2014, was received. For migraine headaches, the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent has been granted. A TDIU is granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, migraine headaches
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18144216
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 18144216.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
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