The Board granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder due to known physiological condition, with major depressive-like episodes, and also granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to this condition. Additionally, TDIU was granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in at least approximate equipoise that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected mood disorder due to known physiological condition, with major depressive-like episodes, and that these conditions preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- mood disorder due to known physiological condition, with major depressive-like episodes, obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, headaches
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- May 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25040980
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 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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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