Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any identified back disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, finding that the Veteran's obesity and subsequent OSA are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was part of her increased rating for OSA with narcolepsy, cataplexy, and hypersomnolence disorder. The October 2022 rating decision granted the TDIU effective May 3, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA) benefits due to his combined rating of 80 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and hypertension secondary to PTSD, finding that the Veteran's sleep issues began during active duty and his hypertension is related to PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chondrosarcoma, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his current condition and his military service, including exposure to herbicides or asbestos.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected sinusitis or adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The VA will need to provide a new examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the OSA was caused by the PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision is based on a finding that obesity serves as an 'intermediate step' between the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have originated during his active-duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea was remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including insufficient reasons and bases provided by the AOJ regarding the diagnoses of chronic PTSD. The AOJ also failed to consider whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea qualified for direct service connection or if it was aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and OSA have been granted an initial rating of 100 percent effective July 31, 2018. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to a service-connected diabetes, due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck condition and vertigo due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently service-connected but denied on appeal.

The Veteran's sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability, while depressive disorder has been granted as secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 17, 2019 for the award of service connection for sleep apnea. The Board also found that entitlement to earlier effective date for DEA benefits prior to January 27, 2020 is remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected GERD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, migraines, arthritis (bilateral feet, knees, and hands as well as the left elbow), and sleep apnea are preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from caring for himself and protecting himself, requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is aggravated by his service-connected Allergic Rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for OSA as secondary to this condition.