Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have persisted since.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that new and relevant evidence submitted supports a link between his in-service back pain and current condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's pre-existing Scheuermann's Disease did not cause or aggravate his current lumbosacral strain.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that there were procedural errors and a need for additional evidence, specifically the Veteran's National Guard and Reserve service records, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected depressive disorder associated with chronic pain syndrome and calcaneal spur of the right heel, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by their service-connected GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder with obesity, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of fact that the OSA was proximately due to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's insomnia disorder is related to sleep problems that began during service and persisted. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in approximate balance that the Veteran has an insomnia disorder, which warrants service connection. For the issue of sleep apnea, a remand is necessary for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and service treatment records regarding sleep disturbances during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and hernia, upper torso/sternum due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to service-connected deviated nasal septum.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS, thus not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board will obtain a new opinion on the nature and etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea, left knee condition, and right knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome was granted with an effective date of January 27, 2021. The decision is based on new evidence submitted after the initial denial in July 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to GERD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD prior to July 19, 2021, and entitlement to TDIU due to his GERD. Additional development is needed for these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 2, 2016. The evidence did not show that there was an increase in disability during the one-year period before the date of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain adequate VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by his service-connected PTSD and depression, and the Board has granted service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.