Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for anal fissures, respiratory disability (claimed as asthma), right knee disability, and sleep apnea are all granted. The claim for a respiratory disability is denied due to lack of evidence of such condition during or after service. Service connection for the right knee disability is also denied because there was no in-service injury or disease that resulted in current symptoms. Sleep apnea is denied as well.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for heart condition and obstructive sleep apnea due to outstanding medical records, including a VA examination for OSA. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms in service are considered.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD, needs further development and is therefore remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, hearing loss, and OSA have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted, and the initial compensable rating for PTSD prior to June 29, 2021, and higher than 30 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as the condition began during active service and is related to service-connected migraines.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for another VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea, as well as her use of medications during flare-ups or active phases.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is reopened, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD is remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA addendum opinion, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's OSA had its onset during service or is otherwise related to active service, including exposure to burn pits while deployed.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD can be adjudicated. The case must be remanded for an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician addressing whether sleep apnea is related to service, proximately due to PTSD, or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbosacral sprain has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's skin disorder is related to his service-connected cold urticaria and/or in-service exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and a need for further medical opinions regarding his OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to additional information received after a previous medical opinion. The AOJ is required to arrange for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee condition and other conditions, contributed to his obesity and thus aggravated his OSA.

The Veteran's use of a wheelchair and forearm crutches for service-connected disabilities is granted as a clothing allowance for 2018. The use of a urine bag does not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with TBI and depressive disorder, finding that OSA is proximately due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for depression and granted the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and secondary service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, as well as whether it is related to burn pits exposure or PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately related to his service-connected psychiatric and traumatic brain injury disabilities.