Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and tinnitus. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether OSA is causally related to active service or if not, whether it was due to or aggravated by PTSD. Additionally, the impact of obesity as a result of service-connected disabilities on OSA is also requested.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

Service connection granted for other trauma and stressor-related disorder.,Service connection granted for hypertension secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection granted for erectile dysfunction secondary to hypertension.,Remanded for further examination regarding a skin disability (likely due to burn pit exposure).,Remanded for further examination regarding obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and heart condition. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s heart condition is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as he has the education, skills, work history, and vocational training to perform a wide variety of suitable work.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee degenerative arthritis is denied, and his claims of service connection for a back disorder and sleep apnea are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that symptoms began during service and have persisted since then. The decision is based on evidence showing a nexus between in-service symptoms and the current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his in-service service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a low back disability to allow for further development, including an additional VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during his active duty service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it became manifest during active duty and is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran’s representative prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed for the remaining claims, and a new VA medical opinion is required to address whether preexisting scoliosis was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea are granted service connection due to exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hypertension, erectile disorder, gastrointestinal disability, COPD, skin disability, and sleep apnea. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, type II diabetes mellitus, or other relevant conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis for further development, including an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to perform sedentary work.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was caused by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee degenerative arthritis.