Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA was granted, and the secondary service connection for obesity associated with PTSD is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and a need for additional medical opinions on the right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the case needs to be remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, including its onset during service or causation by chemical inhalation, as well as whether it is aggravated by his service-connected status post UPP and nasal correction.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to address the etiology of sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service-connected PTSD and right shoulder disability. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during and since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence addressing whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately caused by or aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol use disorder and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease with spondylosis status post L5-S1 fusion and mental health condition to include sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain Social Security Administration records related to the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20% evaluation for degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with lumbosacral strain and thoracic spine scoliosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral disc disease, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete personnel records and unverified in-service stressors. Additional opinions are needed regarding the relationship between his disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for reopening service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted. However, the claim for service connection for OSA, including as secondary to PTSD with insomnia, was denied.

The Veteran's varicocele is granted as secondary to his service-connected erectile dysfunction. The Board has also remanded for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left ankle, lumbar spine condition, right scaphoid fracture, left scaphoid fracture, left knee, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, finding no current diagnosis and noting the Veteran's subjective shortness of breath without objective findings.,Service connection was also denied for obstructive sleep apnea. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's insomnia disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (asthma, bilateral hearing loss, chronic lumbosacral strain, degenerative osteoarthritic and disc narrowing, and status post excision of leukoplakia of the lower lip with one painful residual scar) rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2015. The Veteran also had basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 prior to December 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and degenerative arthritis of the right hand and wrist have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders is denied due to lack of in-service or post-service medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA, finding that it originated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and requires further review, including consideration of direct service connection for the skin condition.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.