Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran’s joint pain, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, lipomas, Gulf War Illness, bronchial asthma, nasal polyps, digestive problems, hernia, and skin problems are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, finding no current disability in either condition and insufficient evidence to link the conditions to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not considered as causing his sleep apnea, but the examiner did not consider the Veteran's testimony about lack of sleep during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury and to reopen his claim for service connection for Sleep Apnea have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied, and his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The issues on appeal were about increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions, as well as TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there was no in-service injury, disease or event related to the condition. The Veteran's current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is not linked to any events during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and an incomplete addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, including its secondary relationship to a service-connected disability. The VA examiner is required to provide an updated opinion considering all lay statements provided by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided are inadequate for determining whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The case is being remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, as the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea with bronchial asthma and unspecified depressive disorder, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Veteran is also required to undergo an updated examination for his chondromalacia, left knee with patellar tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with this information.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the conditions did not develop due to military service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's attorney argued that exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam could be considered presumptive service connection for hypertension, but this was rejected by the Board as essential hypertension is not covered under such presumptions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, low back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Service connection for Sjogren's syndrome with vitreous degeneration and punctate keratitis is remanded due to newly added evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of COPD, lumbosacral strain with DJD, hypertension, and tinea pedis have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that it was not caused by or aggravated during service and is not secondary to his service-connected left knee and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

Service connection is denied for right shoulder, left shoulder, and hypertension disorders.,Service connection is granted for unspecified mental health disorder (depressive disorder with anxious distress features), sleep apnea, and headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist sprain, cervical spine disability, and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability is granted.