Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches due to PTSD are denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea is not considered secondary to PTSD. The examiner found that obesity causes sleep apnea rather than PTSD.,Hypertension was also not considered secondary to PTSD. The examiner noted multiple risk factors for hypertension including age, family history, and obesity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on three issues (sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and hypertension) has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The Veteran is requested to provide details on his alleged exposure and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, seizure disorder, and TDIU have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the extension of a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence has also been dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the etiology of OSA and additional examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during active duty training. The appeal of the obesity claim was dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected anxiety/depression, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's sleep apnea has been aggravated beyond natural progression by his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran failed to attend his scheduled VA examinations and has provided good cause for missing them. As such, new VA examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.,The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent, with the appeal being remanded for further review of ischemic heart disease (IHD), prostate cancer, and Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II).,Ischemic heart disease (IHD), prostate cancer, and Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II) are remanded due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether sleep apnea is aggravated by the service-connected major depressive disorder. The Veteran's obesity, which may be related to her psychiatric disability, needs further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection and rating determinations. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of an article submitted by the Veteran regarding burn pit exposure and sleep apnea, as well as a challenge to the VA examiner's finding that the Veteran was overweight.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or acute coronary syndrome, should be remanded due to a lack of a medical nexus opinion.

The Board denied service connection for OSA as it is not caused or aggravated by PTSD, based on the medical evidence and opinions provided.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and sleep disorder with chronic fatigue due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of the shoulders and acne rosacea were denied as they are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's sleep condition, specifically whether it is related to service or his service-connected depression.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. However, the Board denied service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.