The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder is granted. Service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder (previously evaluated as adjustment disorder with depressed mood) is granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent, but not higher, for the period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea was aided in development and aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder (previously evaluated as Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood), Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19110402
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,680 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19110402.
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.
- 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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