The appeal for service connection for dyspnea is dismissed. Service connection for OSA is granted, and increased ratings are denied for PTSD with MDD and GAD as well as left and right leg radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's dyspnea was found to have its onset during active service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection. However, his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with MDD and GAD is denied due to lack of occupational and social impairment that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- dyspnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2026
- Citation
- A26038652
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26038652.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's OSA is granted as service connected. The Veteran's infectious disease claim and stomach disability claim are remanded for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and authorization for private treatment providers. The issues include heart disorder, OSA, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder all related to Agent Orange exposure.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with persistent depressive disorder and insomnia.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.
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