Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances were denied because the evidence did not show that her knee braces or cane caused damage to her outer garments, and shoes are not considered clothing for VA purposes.,The Veteran was found to have multiple service-connected disabilities including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss and bronchitis, right and left knee conditions, tinnitus, and radiculopathy. However, the evidence did not show that her knee braces or cane caused damage to her outer garments.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently service connected, but the Board finds that a remand is necessary to address whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

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

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine and right ankle disabilities.

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

The Veteran's UTI disability requires intermittent intensive management, including intermittent prescription antibiotics use when she has a UTI. Her disability does not require drainage, frequent hospitalization or continuous intensive management, nor manifest in renal dysfunction or bladder or urethral fistulae.,For the left hip and right hip disabilities, the VA examinations did not provide information on the onset of pain during range of motion testing.

Your claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted as secondary to your already service-connected gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). The benefit you sought is now fully in place.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there is no evidence that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and a bilateral shoulder condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's OSA is remanded for a new opinion to determine if it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right radial neuropathy, obesity, and/or nasal fracture with deviated septum. The issue of service connection for the nasal fracture with deviated septum is also remanded.

The Veteran's SMC from January 5, 2018, to April 12, 2023, is granted at the rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(n) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to or the result of his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with associated depression, alcohol abuse, and personality disorder. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at a 20 percent rating, but no higher, based on the evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination addressing the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea, which may be related to his service or secondary to his stressor-related disorder.

The Board has found that the VA examination provided in December 2020 was inadequate and remanded for additional opinions to address the Veteran's lay assertions, other lay statements of record, as well as all theories of entitlement raised by the record concerning the etiology or aggravation of his OSA.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are dismissed as the March 2021 rating decision was not an initial decision in the AMA and thus, the appeal must be dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, effective January 1, 2021.,Entitlement to a rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain has been granted.