Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was improper and has revised the effective date to October 1, 2022. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC benefits is now correct as of this date.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, effective July 31, 2023.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to injuries sustained during service.,The left ankle sprain is secondary to the right ankle condition.,Radiculopathy in both lower extremities (sciatica) is also secondary to the lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia, lumbosacral strain with scoliosis, and tinnitus render him so helpless as to require the regular need for aid and attendance. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the May 2021 decision on appeal did not consider all relevant evidence and remanded for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA, specifically whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, including obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it is not etiologically related to service and does not result from the service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically related to his service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's GERD and OSA are remanded for further evaluation due to the need for medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected conditions, including participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD). Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of chronicity in service and no evidence linking it to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted with a 50% evaluation on a secondary causation basis due to his service-connected mental health disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

Effective dates of January 7, 2004 for service connection granted for tooth loss due to trauma and lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease thoracic spine. The Veteran's effective date was determined based on receipt of new and material evidence in the form of previously unavailable service department records.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The issue of an increased rating for Asthma is also remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia alone prevents him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 27, 2009. Additionally, the Veteran has additional service-connected disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more, qualifying him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional clarification on whether OSA is proximately caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for IVDS, right ankle sprain with laxity, and left ankle sprain with laxity is dismissed as these claims are final due to the grants of service connection in January 2018 and March 2018.,Service connection for OSA is granted based on a private medical opinion linking it to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected PTSD or asthma, is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it is related to PTSD. The VA examiner needs to provide a detailed opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.