Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal centers on his request for an earlier effective date for the additional dependency compensation he receives for his spouse, children, and stepchildren. These benefits are available to all Veterans with qualifying dependents who are in possession of at least a 30 percent combined disability rating.,The Board denied the Veteran's claims as there was no good cause presented to extend the one-year requirement to submit the additional dependency compensation claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (SMC A&A) due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). Service connection for OSA as secondary to TBI has been granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the nature of the Veteran's current disability and whether it is related to her service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's diagnosed obesity, which is related to his service-connected conditions, caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right heel condition have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection in these cases.,For his extra-skeletal osteosarcoma, diabetes mellitus type II, obstructive sleep apnea, and insomnia claims, the Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine if there is a relationship between the conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability were granted with effective dates of August 4, 2016. The Board found that the original intent to file was received on this date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and tension headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea should be remanded due to a lack of medical evidence on file to make a decision, and because there is an indication that his symptoms may be related to his service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 2, 2016 for the award of a 40 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain.,The Veteran's initial claim for increased left ankle collateral ligament sprain was denied as his disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and also granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Board found that a higher rating is warranted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and BHL.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims and appeals, including those for service connection for various conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure, while the examiner did not address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, as well as any potential synergistic effect from environmental exposures.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to and aggravated by his service-connected orthopedic conditions, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's migraines, bilateral knee condition, lumbar spine disorder to include lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc space narrowing (lumbar strain), IBS, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his obesity and sleep apnea are related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of March 19, 2021. The initial disability rating assigned is 50 percent.