Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the obesity caused by his PTSD is a substantial factor in causing his OSA.

The Board has decided to remand all of the Veteran's claims due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain her complete service personnel records, including those related to her Pennsylvania National Guard service and verify all active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty of training (INACDUTRA) dates.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused her current diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus type II, warranting a grant of secondary service connection for both conditions.,The Veteran's PTSD disability currently rated at 70 percent is denied as the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and various joint and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding whether sleep apnea is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected mood disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as his blood pressure readings have not been predominantly 100 or more for diastolic pressure, or 160 or more for systolic pressure.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The rating reductions for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder were not proper, and their ratings have been restored.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral retinitis pigmentosa, finding that the Veteran's condition was not noted at entry into service and is presumed to have been sound. The disease did not worsen during service but may have been exacerbated by lack of proper sun protection.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and depression NOS and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The Veteran's reported symptoms in service are considered credible, and the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims of service connection for an eye disability and a sleep disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder or insomnia, sleep apnea, and increased ratings for post-operative residuals spinal fusion/IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), painful scar, status post laminectomy, scars, status post laminectomy and spinal fusion surgeries, and maxillary sinusitis has been dismissed as the Veteran's attorney withdrew his appeal in June 2024.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for headaches was rendered moot by the AOJ's award of service connection for headaches in February 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, which aggravated his obesity. As a result, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The case is now remanded to consider the merits of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected sinus disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as no formal or informal claim was received prior to June 23, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins disabilities are found to be the primary causes of his claimed conditions, leading to grants of service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and a reflux condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address a pre-decisional duty to assist error and obtain new VA medical opinions for the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension, as these conditions may be aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.