Sleep apnea decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, particularly in relation to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a supplemental medical opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service. The claim will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as aggravated by PTSD, with a current rating of 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service smoke exposure from burn pits.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA and PTSD are granted, with a rating of 70 percent for the former prior to August 1, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected IHD or psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected as the symptoms began during his deployments to Iraq and have continued since service separation.

The Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are not found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD and depression, NOS.,Both conditions were diagnosed post-service and do not have a direct link to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal issues, respiratory disability (COPD), bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, but it remains denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being required, including for a supplemental VA opinion on sleep apnea and a supplemental VA examination addressing right knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed by the United States Federal Government.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,The Veteran's right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and TDIU is granted based on the combined effect of multiple disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives, specifically regarding an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

Your service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and left shoulder strain have been granted in full, so there is no longer a controversy to resolve.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus remands for further development.