Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during and after service were consistent with this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate addendum opinion regarding secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as it relates to posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) due to obesity resulting from his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and left ankle injury residuals. The decision is based on medical opinions linking the OSA to the Veteran's weight gain caused by his service-connected foot conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of new evidence and theories of entitlement, including secondary service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and a higher rating is denied.,Service connection has been granted for left knee, neck, and low back disabilities based on in-service injury.,Service connection has been granted for eye condition (cataracts), right foot disability, skin rash, and obstructive sleep apnea based on in-service injury and competent lay statements.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and a higher rating is denied.

An effective date of December 11, 2015, but no earlier, for service connection of constrictive bronchiolitis is granted.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, anal or perianal fistula, and sleep apnea is granted based on the PACT Act provisions.

The Veteran has been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities since December 21, 2013. The Board grants TDIU from December 21, 2013 to July 26, 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU based on unspecified depressive disorder alone is granted from November 16, 2020. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is granted from February 24, 2021. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for temporomandibular joint dislocation (TMD), bruxism, and obstructive sleep apnea due to pre-existing conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus between the two conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and panic disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance regarding whether the sleep apnea is proximately due or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as she was able to complete some educational courses in social work.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, a spine condition, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations in July 2020. The Veteran was not provided with adequate notice or opportunity to respond to the examination requests.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep disorder to include obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right hip disorder, and left knee disorders due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The issues will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions addressing whether her service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated her weight gain/obesity, which in turn led to her sleep apnea, right hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 22, 2014 for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a 50% rating for this condition. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claim will be further developed and a medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The rating for sinusitis remains denied, but a compensable rating of 30% is granted for allergic rhinitis starting from February 3, 2021.