Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective date, increased disability rating, and TDIU for lumbar spine disability as the Veteran's August 30, 2023 submission was construed as a motion for reconsideration of an August 10, 2022 decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's PTSD has aggravated his sleep apnea beyond its natural progression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician that addresses the likely etiology of the Veteran's OSA, including whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and/or closed fracture dislocation of the left ankle.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and potential TERA exposure, requiring further development including a new opinion on service connection for OSA.

The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed because there was no proper docketing of the issue and it does not constitute a justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's eye/vision, sleep, shoulder pain, and erectile dysfunction disorders are all found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection is granted for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his right hallux valgus and lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already receiving the maximum rating allowed under current criteria, and a higher rating is not available. For the lumbosacral strain issue, the Board determined there were insufficient examination findings to determine the severity of the disability and thus remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for sleep apnea was denied as the earliest claim was filed in February 2019. The Board also remanded claims for service connection of left and right knee conditions.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for sleep apnea was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, nose bleeds, sleep apnea, bilateral foot rash, and a vision condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic conditions (degenerative disc disease, arthritis of the bilateral knees and degenerative joint disease of the bilateral feet).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, including exposure to toxic substances and potential participation in a TERA. The Veteran's respiratory and hearing disabilities are related to his military service, but the right shoulder disability is not. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of all conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and calcified pleural plaques have been granted a 100 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for inguinal hernia and lumbosacral or cervical strain due to a lack of an adequate examination in the March 2018 VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not proximately due to or otherwise etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD.