Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, claimed as sleep disturbances due to Gulf War Syndrome, requires further examination and review. The current nature and etiology of his sleep disability, including obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, need to be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, and tinnitus are being remanded due to failure of the pre-decisional duty to assist.,The Board is unable to make a determination on these issues without additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support these claims. The appeals are granted in part.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim. The decision is being remanded to allow for a more thorough examination and opinion.

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred in service and is denied.,The Veteran's left thumb disability, characterized as pain, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral high-frequency hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.,Service connection for dry eye syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, and thus remanded for further review.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea claim is denied, and the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms began during active duty and continue to this day.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as due to his service-connected PTSD, should be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's OSA was first diagnosed 18 months after his discharge, and the Board found that symptoms of snoring and witnessed apneas were present during his period of active service from July 2013 to August 2014. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and to attempt verification of his deployment in the DMZ. The issues include sleep apnea, heart condition, right hip disability, bilateral knee conditions, acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination and new evidence. The issues of higher evaluations for chronic lumbosacral strain and TDIU are now before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disability, including sleep apnea and hypersomnolence disorder, had its onset during his first period of active service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Reduction of compensation benefits to 10% due to incarceration is upheld.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service-connected PTSD and/or low back disability through obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his sleep impairment, are being reviewed again to ensure they are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to link his current condition to his military service or any known clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran's back disability rated at 40% is not sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU as his education and occupational experience do not allow him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.