Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, BPH, sleep apnea, and several other conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,Service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been granted due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but denied the claims for left knee disability, right foot ingrown toenails, and low back disability. The issues of service connection for right knee disability and left and right foot numbness are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn caused his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at a 50% disability rating, effective September 2017. The Board found that the symptoms most closely approximated those of reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as difficulty understanding complex commands, forgetting to complete tasks, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for nerve impairment and entitlement to TDIU was denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. His eligibility for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) had its onset during his service, and therefore grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of increased disability rating for residuals of a total right shoulder arthroplasty, service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes insipidus, left elbow/left arm, right elbow/right arm, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (claimed as heart palpitations) based on the evidence showing these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination due to incomplete information regarding service connection claims, including a lack of opinions on whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during his active duty service in Afghanistan. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible and competent reports of experiencing symptoms like snoring and difficulty staying asleep during his deployment.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyslipidemia was denied as it does not qualify as a disability for VA compensation purposes. Other claims are pending, including those for sleep apnea, back disability, hip disabilities, ankle disabilities, psychiatric disability, and inguinal hernia.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension as they are not related to active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV and OSA, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. The VA is required to obtain addendum opinions from medical professionals addressing the etiology of the Veteran's HIV and OSA, specifically considering his contentions regarding sexual encounters and tobacco use.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and his request for an increased rating for left knee residuals prior to March 1, 2017, are both being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with multi-level degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have persisted since then.