The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, neuropathy of the right and left ankles (internal popliteal and saphenous nerves), and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, with an effective date of May 16, 2022. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied.
The deciding factor: The Board granted service connection based on direct causation due to in-service exposure to toxins, as supported by medical evidence and VA opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, neuropathy of the right ankle, internal popliteal nerve, neuropathy of the left ankle, internal popliteal nerve, neuropathy of the right ankle, internal saphenous nerve, neuropathy of the left ankle, internal saphenous nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 31, 2025
- Citation
- A25029202
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including GERD, chronic kidney disease, COPD, a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea, as additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemical agents during his service.
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