Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle sprain, including resulting weight gain. The decision also acknowledges that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are risk factors for weight gain.

The Veteran's appeal includes service connection for a sleep disorder, including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board finds remand necessary to determine whether these conditions are separate from her service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood associated with fibromyalgia with fatigue.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at a 50 percent initial rating, effective May 4, 2017. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish baseline severity prior to aggravation by PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right hand tremor was denied an increased rating, with the Board finding that the evidence did not show a gap of more than two inches between the thumb pad and the fingers.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding potential service connection based on toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).,Service connection for a pelvic disorder, other than right and left hip disorders, is also remanded as there are no adequate opinions within the evidence window.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for heel pain, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will need an updated medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service.

The Veteran's effective date for a 50% disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as of April 1, 2020, the day after her separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 3, 2019.,TDIU is granted from June 3, 2019. The appeal for TDIU from October 9, 2018 to June 3, 2019 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and insomnia. The Veteran contends he experienced these conditions during military service, but there is no evidence in his service treatment records or VA treatment records indicating such issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence shows that the Veteran's PTSD caused weight gain and obesity, which in turn led to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for stroke, sleep apnea, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The VA will need to provide a medical examination and opinion regarding the onset of these conditions during service or their relationship to TBI. Toxic exposure risk activities are not considered in this decision.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by her obesity, which in turn is linked to her service-connected major depressive disorder. The Board has determined that the criteria for secondary service connection have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Allergic Rhinitis.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis, and left knee tendonitis are all found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as it is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected wrist injury.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for this benefit.