Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 28, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the audiometric results showed a level of hearing loss compatible with a noncompensable rating.,For the period after May 28, 2021, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted. Previously denied claims for left and right knee disabilities, as well as sinusitis, are reopened. Other rating issues remain pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are caused and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The Board has granted the claim for service connection, but the effective date of the TDIU is remanded due to insufficient clinical evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension are all found to be related to her active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new theories of entitlement raised by the Veteran's representative, including a claim that obesity caused or aggravated obstructive sleep apnea. The VA will need to obtain medical opinions on these new theories and any other relevant issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran's right knee, back, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and sleep apnea are all in question.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including claimed asbestosis, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's lay assertions were not supported by medical evidence or clinical findings during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is now pending. The case will be reviewed to determine if there are any additional treatment records that need to be obtained and an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, leading to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's death was caused by a toxic level of medication, and the Board is remanding to obtain medical records and provide an opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities or medications contributed to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA medical opinion and the need for additional development, including obtaining more medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound status are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for a painful right-hand scar from February 1, 2011, to his death in November 2021. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II, contributed to his cause of death. The decision grants service connection for the cause of death due to secondary aggravation by these conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with persistent insomnia and cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, which the Board finds to be proximately due to or related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder with psychotic features), sleep apnea, and bilateral elbow condition have been granted. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease prior to December 19, 2019 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease from December 19, 2019 was also denied due to lack of evidence showing it met the criteria for a higher rating.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was not granted an increased rating as there was no evidence that it manifested more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and has determined that he experienced symptoms of this condition during and since service. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, hepatitis C residuals, and a liver condition due to inadequate etiological opinions regarding secondary service connection.