The Board granted service connection for a sleep disorder, to include SDB and OSA as secondary to major depressive disorder (MDD), and a cardiovascular disability as secondary to MDD. Additionally, the Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for his MDD from November 2, 2022.
The deciding factor: The Board found that Dr. J.F.'s opinion supported a finding that the Veteran's SDB and OSA were secondarily related to his MDD, while the VA examiners' opinions were based on obesity as a factor which was not present in this case.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep disorder, cardiovascular disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 10, 2025
- Citation
- A25050840
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.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral or cervical strain was dismissed due to untimeliness, while the other issues were remanded for further evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of service connection for a sleep disorder and entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic obstipation (constipation) for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and hypertension. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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