Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's diagnosed hypertension is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of whether OSA was aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient clarity in the VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected pericarditis and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service and was insufficient to establish secondary service connection due to Atrial Fibrillation.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that it did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection due to diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is denied because his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain does not meet the schedular requirements, and there is insufficient evidence to show he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to this disability alone.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether OSA is related to service, including snoring problems and morning fatigue experienced in service. Additionally, the examiner should address whether obesity resulting from service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated OSA.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, including as due to herbicide exposure via burn pits or as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and may be aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 16, 2021, for service connection for lumbosacral strain is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding range of motion and functional impairment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for paralysis of lower extremities, including as secondary to a back disorder, is remanded due to the need for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to her active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional evidence is needed, including private treatment records and VA examination opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) due to an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence indicating that the disorder is related to service, including lay statements from the Veteran describing sleep problems during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and lung cancer are granted as service connection is established due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.,Service connection for voiding dysfunction, erectile dysfunction (ED), and sleep apnea are also granted as these conditions are found to be secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is etiologically related to his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal through his representative in September 2022.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and thus service connection for OSA is granted.