Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% disability rating effective November 19, 2018. Other claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence that his current condition is related to his military service, including exposure to environmental hazards during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on evidence that supports a causal relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s headaches and his service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, or pain from other service-connected orthopedic conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an adequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence did not support a causal relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a skin disorder has been dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for tonsil disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, and rectal bleeding are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his active duty service and his current condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection due to chronic brain syndrome and PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient notification of an examination for obstructive sleep apnea and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and red splotches on the back of neck due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are pending.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hypertension is granted.,Service connection for OSA as secondary to DMT2 is granted, and TDIU from October 3, 2016, is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence of a nexus to active service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate examination.

The Board has restored the previous disability ratings for chronic right hip strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that the reduction was improper due to failure to consider whether improvement would be maintained under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which was secondary to herbicide exposure, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left foot disability has been granted. Service connection for prostate cancer and lumbar spine disability remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II caused or aggravated his obesity and, in turn, his obstructive sleep apnea. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.