Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied. The Veteran's asthma with COPD is rated at 100 percent effective November 1, 2023. The Veteran's TDIU claim as of November 1, 2023, is dismissed due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which was not incurred in service but aggravated by a pre-existing condition (sinusitis), is currently rated at 0 percent due to persistent daytime hypersomnolence and use of a CPAP machine. The Board denied a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the VA contracted medical opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining a new opinion on the etiology of the appellant's obstructive sleep apnea. The new opinion should consider whether the appellant's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which may be an intermediate step between his service-connected disabilities and his current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring the Veteran to be provided with a VA examination and an adequate medical opinion regarding his sleep disorder/sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with a traumatic brain injury and allergic rhinitis and nasal fracture/traumatic deviated septum. The case is being remanded for an appropriate medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective December 14, 2019. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's IBS was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, the schedular maximum. The claim for service connection for OSA is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support the presence of a valid in-service stressor or event leading to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for OSA as secondary to tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is rated at 70 percent effective October 10, 2012. An increased rating for OSA from November 7, 2011, and a separate compensable rating for allergic rhinitis are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, particularly major depressive disorder with insomnia. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation of the Veteran's OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to a failure to obtain medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically asthma with COPD and OCD.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion provided was inadequate and requires further examination to address both causation and aggravation of sleep apnea due to service-connected PTSD with depression.

The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional errors in the previous rating decision and has ordered a remand to obtain an additional VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected conditions or military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed due to the duty to assist error and remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied.,The Veteran was awarded service connection for both conditions on May 9, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for sleep apnea as it was granted in a May 2024 rating decision, and no further benefits are available.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and OSA due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's military occupational specialty was consistent with hazardous noise exposure.,The claim for a rating in excess of 50% for PTSD was denied because the Veteran failed to report to a VA examination scheduled for June 2023.