Sleep apnea decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, type II. The examiner must consider whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but remanded the issue of service connection for a lipoma on the back due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The claims for service connection for a throat condition, including throat cancer; diabetes mellitus; bilateral knee disabilities; lumbosacral strain; and COPD were all denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new theories of entitlement and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's GERD is being evaluated for potential service connection secondary to his OSA, and a toxic exposure risk activity opinion regarding GERD is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating, effective April 30, 2018.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also granted, but with an earlier effective date of April 30, 2018.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 13, 2015 for the award of SMC based on aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's need for regular aid and assistance was established from this date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to October 19, 2022 and denied any higher rating thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or aggravated by his PTSD. The VA must obtain additional treatment records and provide an opinion on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric condition and/or arteriosclerotic heart disease. The VA must obtain a new opinion on this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision is based on evidence that obesity, a condition related to PTSD, contributed to the development of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, varicose veins, back arthritis, and dorsal scoliosis are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of OSA and credible testimony linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine service connection, a disability rating, an effective date, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions have been granted. The Board found that the evidence established a link between each condition and active service.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with DJD and IDVS is rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period, reflecting a moderate disability level.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, medications for those conditions, and his sleep apnea. A new VA examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Effective January 10, 2021, he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfilled its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which may be secondary to one or more service-connected disabilities and/or medications used for treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his military service, as well as any aggravation by his service-connected shoulder and neck disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, migraines, left and right knee disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are remanded due to missing military records and the need for VA examinations.