Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship between the conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, hypothyroidism, left knee disability, and left ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims for herpes virus, Bell's palsy, and vertigo were remanded.,There is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence or aggravation for the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms began during active duty and have persisted since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and GERD with hiatal hernia due to conflicting opinions on whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his military service and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and adjustment disorder, are granted service connection. The issues of sleep apnea and circadian rhythm sleep disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, but remanded the issue of sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is likely to have started during his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an effective date earlier than November 8, 2013, for the award of service connection for right knee strain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD due to MST) is granted. The issues of rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and left foot plantar fasciitis, service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, service connection for left arm bicep tendonitis, service connection for left knee strain, service connection for sinusitis, service connection for sleep apnea, and finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to his service or a service-connected disability. His claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and an insufficient VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's headaches, to include migraines, are found to have begun during active service and granted. The issues of chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral knee arthritis, and sleep disturbances, to include obstructive sleep apnea, are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis were not found to warrant a higher rating prior to April 2, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD are found to be the cause of his fatigue, which is granted as service connected. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion and need for additional consideration.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for a respiratory condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The Board also remanded several other claims, including those for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, hypertension, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and lower back condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected sleep apnea, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.