The claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to GAD is granted. The reduction in rating from 50% to 30% for GAD, effective February 1, 2019, was not proper and the 50% evaluation is restored.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected GAD. The reduction in rating from 50% to 30% for GAD did not show improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, thus was improper.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21009111
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 21009111.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
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