Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors and regulatory requirements under the PACT Act. The Veteran's mental health, lumbar spine, and sleep apnea conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a rating of 20 percent, PTSD, MDD, and GAD are granted service connection, and sleep apnea is also granted. The right leg (knee), neck, and right ankle disorders remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and incorrect causation standards. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed for service connection, with consideration of burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the AOJ failing to determine if his obesity, a result of his service-connected conditions, was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and a spinal disability due to outstanding records and the need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea was previously granted in an October 2023 rating decision, and the appeal is dismissed as neither the Veteran nor his representative has appealed the rating or effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for enlarged tonsils and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to enlarged tonsils) due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of all theories of entitlement, particularly regarding the relationship between PTSD and obesity as well as their impact on sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there is a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA due to obesity, as secondary to PTSD with TBI. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran showing that his service-connected PTSD caused him to become obese, which in turn led to his OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea manifested during active service or is otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not causally or etiologically related to his military service, including his time aboard submarines. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure during service. A VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the VA Form 9 was timely filed in response to the March 27, 2017 Statement of the Case and therefore reinstates the underlying appeal for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the Veteran's OSA was caused by his service-connected PTSD and musculoskeletal disorders with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and denied an increased rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability. The left ankle sprain is found to be related to service, while the back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted, and he received a 40% disability rating for his lumbar strain starting from June 9, 2020. His left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was granted a 20% disability rating effective from June 9, 2020. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) received a 20% disability rating as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.