Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to incomplete examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective May 1, 2018, as he has been unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since at least 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of an opinion regarding its etiology, and requests that further medical evaluation be conducted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD with major depression recurrent w/o psychosis, due to insufficient medical opinions and potential duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, but remanded the cases for further development regarding DM II, OSA, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition is not related to his service and remands the case for further development.,The Veteran contends his current right shoulder condition is due to heavy lifting during service, but there is no evidence of a pre-existing injury or chronic condition in service. The VA examination did not find any link between his current condition and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence is at least in balance regarding whether OSA was caused by PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, cervical degenerative joint disease with right arm neuropathy, and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The claims will be reconsidered by the AOJ after obtaining new medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in the previous decision, and requires additional opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him wheelchair bound and in need of nursing home care, regular aid and attendance to prepare his meals, assist with bathing and hygiene needs, and manage medication. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance but dismissed the claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate as moot.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities and remands for further examination to address whether obesity, which may be caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, played a role in causing or aggravating his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, effective from August 30, 2021 to October 31, 2021. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis (claimed as low back condition) is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in providing a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relation to service, as well as an examination consistent with the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected right knee disability, is a substantial factor in causing his current condition. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder condition and right shoulder condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is rated at 30 percent effective August 22, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent effective August 22, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted an increased rating to 20 percent prior to January 11, 2021. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains under development.