Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted, with the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for hypertensive heart disease as secondary to service-connected hypertension is also granted.,The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to new theories of entitlement not previously addressed.,The issue of service connection for a skin rash is remanded due to the possibility that it may be related to the Veteran's hypertension medication.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding sleep apnea and whether it is proximately due or aggravated by hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to exposure in Southwest Asia, as well as a secondary service connection claim based on obesity. The case requires an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal and knee disabilities, as well as sleep apnea. Additional medical records are needed to support or refute his claims.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left knee disability and sleep apnea due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's complete service treatment records, including those from his Reserve time, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since October 11, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shin splints and left heel spur.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's lumbar disability was granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to March 6, 2018. From that date forward, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his lumbar disability. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and tinnitus are each assigned their maximum ratings.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, OSA, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, anosmia, and synovial cysts of the bilateral ring fingers are all found to have onset during his active duty service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as it became manifest during active duty.

Your claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and memory loss due to service connection. The VA examinations were inadequate in addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms since discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, evaluated as 70 percent disabling effective January 26, 2016, is granted. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability evaluation of 90 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a back disability, sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected bronchitis), bilateral hearing loss, and bronchitis. The Veteran's records from CHRISTUS Mother Frances in Tyler, Texas need to be obtained. An examination is needed for all issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical nexus opinions. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the condition did not pre-exist service and was not aggravated by subsequent military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee, right elbow, and low back disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, specifically related to exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and right knee disorder have been granted service connection, and he is now eligible for TDIU benefits from July 10, 2020 to August 20, 2021. The issue of TDIU prior to July 10, 2020 has been remanded.