Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected stroke residuals. He is also granted financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to permanent loss of use of the left hand.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's allergies and sleep apnea, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on their relationship to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a severe sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, and as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected tinnitus and/or left ear hearing loss, but a VA examination is needed to determine the exact nature of this relationship.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and right knee condition, caused or aggravated his obesity. The examiner is asked to determine if obesity was a substantial factor in causing sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of whether a substantive appeal was timely filed in response to a June 2016 Statement of the Case regarding his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal and thus, the October 2012 rating decision became final.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease, effective from May 3, 2011.

The Veteran's bowel condition is granted as service-connected. The claims for eczema, bunions, flatfeet, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination in an August 2020 VA examination. A new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the relationship between the service-connected lumbar spine disability and the Veteran's obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it originated during service or is otherwise related to service. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, characterized as REM behavior disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, is not considered to be related to his military service or his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed sleep apnea and insomnia, including whether these conditions are related to service or her other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. The left hip and right hip disorders are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to the low back disorder. The low back disorder rating remains at 40%.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to skin condition is dismissed. Service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran needs to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has restored service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the original grant was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.