Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, PTSD, OSA, and erectile dysfunction are all granted. Service connection is established for PTSD based on in-service racial trauma and tension at Loring Air Force Base (AFB).

The Board has determined that an additional medical opinion is necessary regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's OSA, specifically whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service. The decision will be reconsidered after a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his back conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinions and incomplete private treatment records. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again for possible service connection, specifically as secondary to his service-connected residuals from a tonsillectomy.

The Veteran's PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder were granted a disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran was denied compensable ratings for his migraine and tension headaches prior to June 19, 2019 and from June 19, 2019 to October 26, 2020. A 50 percent rating was granted for the period after October 26, 2020. The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS, OSA, and PLMSD were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not arise during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate VA examination and failure to provide adequate statement of reasons or bases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,The Board finds that the Veteran’s claims for service connection for back disability, tinnitus, and headache disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to insufficient examination reports addressing whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Joint Motion found that the March 2019 VA examination was inadequate because it did not address obesity as a potential intermediate step in establishing service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's obesity, which is linked to his service-connected diabetes and PTSD, was a substantial factor in causing his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a stay regarding naval service and presumed herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for DM and CV disorder are impacted by the Federal Circuit's decision in Procopio v. Wilkie, which expanded the definition of 'service in the Republic of Vietnam' to include the territorial sea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his service-connected PTSD and is more likely due to obesity and other risk factors.

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

The Board has denied service connection for a nose disability and remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to chronic tonsillitis) and rating for chronic tonsillitis.

The Board has granted service connection for clear cell chondrosarcoma in the right hip, right leg, and right arm due to non-ionizing radiation exposure. The Veteran's current disabilities were found to have continuous symptoms since service separation.