Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's current sleep apnea disorder is related to his active-duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 5, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for CAD, sleep apnea, and colon cancer as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA compensation criteria, and the medical opinions indicate that these conditions are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral spine disability, radiculopathy of the left leg, and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2021 decision. The cases are now pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the Board finds that his current condition had its onset during active duty. The decision is based on credible lay statements from the Veteran and his spouse describing symptoms of fatigue and sleep issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development and new medical opinions being required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, Chronic Fatigue, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea due to Gulf War exposure. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet criteria for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's contentions regarding his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, including his assertion that it is related to in-service exposures and psychiatric medications.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, and a lumbosacral spine disability due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange). The Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable through no fault of his own. Further efforts to obtain these records would be futile. The Board also found that the Veteran was not exposed to Agent Orange during active service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and lumbosacral spine disability are not related to active service. The claims for a psychiatric disability and bilateral knee disability, including as due to a lumbosacral spine disability, are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain began during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and rating for his knee replacements. The Veteran will need to provide additional information about the competency of certain VA examiners.

The Board has ordered a remand due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is related to service and grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected back disability was granted, with a 40 percent rating from February 10, 2012.,Other issues on appeal were either denied or remanded.