Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected PTSD and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence supports a causal relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's nerve condition of the bilateral lower extremities, claimed as radiculopathy, is granted.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and back condition are remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee, shoulder, and hip disabilities contributed to his weight gain/obesity, which then led to his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran is granted higher levels of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at rates based on loss of use of both hands and need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to obesity, which is considered an intermediate step between her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision finds that while OSA was not incurred in service, it is secondary to PTSD and caused by obesity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent. The neck strain issue has been remanded for further examination.,Service connection for the neck strain will be determined based on whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition and the evidence does not support a link to in-service events or conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the Veteran filed a concurrent request for higher-level review and a Board appeal, which is not allowed under VA regulations.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection for accrued benefits.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection awards of PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, status-post left inguinal herniorrhaphy, costochondritis, and PFB and bilateral paronychia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence supports a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, while left ear hearing loss does not meet VA disability criteria.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain and hypertension are denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is secondary to his service-connected back, knee, and shoulder conditions resulting in obesity. As a result, the claim for service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his left shoulder disability and unspecified depressive disorder disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected back disability caused obesity, which in turn led to sleep apnea. The examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The cause of death is also under review.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for the 50% rating for bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for the 30% rating for cervical strain.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for service connection for left upper extremity of the middle radicular group as part of her cervical strain claim.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for service connection for right upper extremity of the middle radicular group as part of her cervical strain claim.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 8, 2022 for a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea are granted service connection.,Service connection for left shoulder disorder and right shoulder disorder is remanded.

The rating reduction from a 70 percent rating to a 50 percent rating for bipolar II disorder and cannabis use disorder effective July 1, 2022 was proper. The appeal is therefore denied. Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.