Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD have been granted service connection, as has his OSA which is secondary to his psychiatric disability.,However, the TDIU claim remains pending due to a remand for further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a new medical opinion to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD and obesity.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as the evidence supports that his OSA onset during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, OSA, and hypertension, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service. The decision also grants secondary service connection for OSA and hypertension due to obesity caused by his service-connected depression.

The appeals to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than the current assigned rating, while other issues like radiculopathy of the lower extremities and left clavicle disability received initial or partial grants of benefits.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a respiratory disability, to include sleep apnea, is denied.,Service connection for recurrent prostatitis (claimed as UTIs) is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including obesity, neck disability, Meniere's disease, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), OSA, low back strain, and COPD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise to support these conditions as being related to service.,Both sleep apnea and COPD are now considered service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a sleep disorder, including Parkinson's disease, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, convulsive tic (tremors), and restless leg syndrome, as due to service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with major depressive disorder. The decision also vacated the portion of the July 2021 Board decision that found the Board did not have jurisdiction to adjudicate service connection for Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left ankle sprain, low back condition, throat condition (claimed as strep throat), and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence linking the Veteran's OSA to her military service. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion from a medical examiner that addresses whether the Veteran's OSA is at least as likely as not related to her service, including considering her reported symptoms during and immediately following her service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an infection of the right upper leg, and headaches due to insufficient evidence or need for additional development.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, bilateral tinea pedis, bilateral lung condition, sleep apnea, and low back disorder are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical opinions on service connection claims and examining the Veteran's penile disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between his in-service asbestos exposure and his current condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus, needs further review due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it had its onset during active service and continues to this day.