Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and PTSD due to conflicting medical opinions and outstanding treatment records.

For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's left knee strain disability has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating. However, a separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for left knee instability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities rated at least 60%, meets the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate starting from May 16, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of the September 2019 VA examination's opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected bronchitis could be an aggravating factor for his sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to an error in duty to assist.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, and the appeal for a higher initial rating or an earlier effective date remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it is related to his in-service symptoms and experiences.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because he did not provide good cause for filing his notice of disagreement more than a year after the rating decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected post traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea (OSA) is related to his military service, including exposure to mold or hydraulic fluid in Qatar. The VA examiner will be asked to provide a medical opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to pre-decisional errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of September 25, 2019. The Board found that the earlier effective date of February 7, 2012 should be granted as it reflects the earliest diagnosis.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted with an effective date of November 2, 2014. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as early as November 2, 2014.,VA has a duty to maximize benefits for the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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

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

The Board has denied service connection for a skin condition and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's skin condition claim is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability, while his sleep apnea claim requires additional development including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not etiologically related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.