Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for neck disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal in December 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and his currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, hypertension, and hand disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was not granted because the medical records do not show any current diagnoses or symptoms related to these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine, but does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of respiratory failure or tracheostomy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain was denied because the new evidence did not prove or disprove whether his current condition occurred in or was caused by service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the obesity caused by his PTSD is a substantial factor in causing his OSA.

The Board has decided to remand all of the Veteran's claims due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain her complete service personnel records, including those related to her Pennsylvania National Guard service and verify all active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty of training (INACDUTRA) dates.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused her current diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus type II, warranting a grant of secondary service connection for both conditions.,The Veteran's PTSD disability currently rated at 70 percent is denied as the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and various joint and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding whether sleep apnea is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected mood disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as his blood pressure readings have not been predominantly 100 or more for diastolic pressure, or 160 or more for systolic pressure.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The rating reductions for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder were not proper, and their ratings have been restored.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status has been granted.