Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence that the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and OSA, to include as secondary to service-connected disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to military service or post-service occupational injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and fibroids with a resulting hysterectomy as secondary to service-connected endometriosis due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to left phrenic nerve paralysis and sleep apnea resulting from September 2014 cardiac surgery performed at a VA Medical Center, finding that the carelessness or negligence of VA was not established.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to the service-connected TMJ.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the nexus between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his diagnosed OSA. The Board has therefore granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, giving the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for OSA, specifically regarding whether it is related to active service or caused by obesity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bone spurs of the left and right heels, hypertension (HTN), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of medical opinions addressing whether his service-connected psychiatric disabilities caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service, including from April 1988 to June 1988. The examiner should also provide opinions on whether the condition is proximately due to his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder or has been aggravated by it.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected rhinitis and/or sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence linking OSA to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,Service connection has been granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents while on active military service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force base. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of medical opinions regarding service connection for chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, genitourinary disorder, and congenital batwing deformity with pseudoarthrosis.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a presumptive condition due to herbicide agent exposure. His OSA and hypothyroidism are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD because no new and relevant evidence was submitted, despite a positive nexus letter from his private medical provider.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted for migraine headaches, restless legs syndrome, fibromyalgia, sinusitis, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including sleep disturbances), neck disorder, lower back disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, or right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining his private medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide these records, and he will be notified of any scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's asthma and OSA have been granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War. Service connection for OSA as secondary to his now service-connected asthma has also been granted.