The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis were rated at 50 percent effective September 3, 2020. The Veteran was also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits from the same date.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported that the Veteran had sleep apnea since filing his September 3, 2020, claim, which required use of a CPAP machine. The Veteran was also found to be unable to secure or follow gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities effective from the same date.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pulmonary Fibrosis, Essential Tremors of the Left Hand, Essential Tremors of the Right Hand, Unsteadiness of the Left Foot, Unsteadiness of the Right Foot
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 9, 2025
- Citation
- A25032780
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 service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and bilateral radiculopathy and neuropathy of the lower extremities.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 50 percent rating.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.