The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU prior to August 27, 2015. The evidence did not support a finding that his sleep apnea was related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. Additionally, the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea to his military service or finding that it was related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA examinations conducted prior to August 27, 2015 did not find a nexus between his service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2022
- Citation
- 22010918
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22010918.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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