Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be due to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is a diagnosed illness without conclusive pathophysiology or etiology, as defined in 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2)(ii), owing to his service during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim and resolving this doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome, hypertension, a sleep disorder (insomnia and/or sleep apnea), and an acquired psychiatric condition due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's statements regarding his in-service experiences are considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, and a new medical opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disorder, and right hip disorder due to insufficient evidence or lack of a current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with depression and for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current OSA and his active military service or any service-connected disability.

The appeal of the claim seeking service connection for bilateral eye disorder, asthma, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been dismissed.,The appeals of the claims seeking service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, OSA, and diabetes mellitus have been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to chronic kidney disease with hypertension and migraine headaches. The case is now before the Board again due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to her service-connected conditions or in-service events.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The hypertension claim is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its relationship to herbicide exposure.

The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for OSA and remanded for additional development. For hepatitis C, the VA examiner was requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to service or aggravated by service-connected hepatitis C. The depression issue remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma. The initial rating for asthma remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional military personnel and medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine and left lower extremity disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The appeals for sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, and right hip condition are remanded.