Sleep apnea decisions — 2022

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. A separate rating of 20 percent for right knee instability is also granted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were granted service connection. The headache disorder was denied as not incurred in or caused by service. Memory loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for ED, sleep apnea, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disorder, left hip disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea are not related to his military service or any incident of service origin. The evidence does not show these conditions began during active duty or within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA but remanded the issue of service connection for sinus headaches/chronic headaches due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and either his military service or his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use and persistent depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA examination obtained in August 2022 is inadequate and remanded for another examination to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding exposure during service, as well as his symptoms observed by fellow service members. The examiner must also determine if OSA was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of relevant evidence and incorrect application of the standard for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in July 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a headache disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and seeking an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew her appeals, and service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has granted new and material evidence for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, diverticulitis, sleep apnea, left foot disability, restless leg syndrome, restless arm syndrome, and left leg disability. However, the merits of these claims have not been decided.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and basal cell carcinoma, as well as whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has identified new evidence since the March 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and requests that the Veteran confirm his desire for a hearing. The appeal is being remanded to allow for this review.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.,However, the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient development.