Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain (back disability) and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss. The back disability was found to be aggravated during active duty training, while the hearing loss claims were not supported by evidence showing it had onset or progression in service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, left ankle strain, sleep apnea, and tinnitus. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and if obesity played an intermediate role in causing his sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings for his service-connected back condition, headaches, PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began in service and has been continuous since, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was denied in April 2015, and the effective date of his service-connected OSA is set at May 18, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, increased rating for lumbosacral strain, and earlier effective date for sleep disorder are being remanded.,The Board is unable to make a decision on these issues due to the need for additional evidence or information.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the cause of his diagnosed sleep apnea, thus granting service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as the appeal is no longer valid due to the Veteran's death.

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

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of sleep apnea was denied as the proper form was submitted on July 13, 2020, which is when he became service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as she does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending and will be remanded to determine if the criteria for a higher rating are met.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for sleep apnea service connection is denied. An initial 70 percent rating, but not higher, for bipolar disorder with other unspecified stressor related disorder is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants because her service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and nexus opinion regarding the lumbosacral strain condition. The Veteran's service connection claim is being returned for further development.