Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected PTSD and MDD, is remanded. The Board finds that the VA opinion obtained was inadequate and requires a new one from a qualified VA physician. Additionally, due to the enactment of the PACT Act, a TERA medical opinion must also be obtained assessing whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to exposure to burn pit and other toxins (BPOT) during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a cardiac disability, both claimed as secondary to sinusitis. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for fatty liver, right eye macular degeneration with cataracts, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rosacea, and malignant melanoma. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for major depressive disorder prior to June 10, 2014 was granted at a 70 percent rating. A 100 percent disability rating was granted beginning December 9, 2015. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA as secondary to his service-connected right knee strain and left ankle DJD, finding that the weight gain resulting from these conditions is an intermediate step between the service-connected disabilities and the development of OSA.

The Veteran's preexisting obstructive sleep apnea was aggravated during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disabilities, including whether they are related to his service or secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary evidence.,Additional medical records, including STRs and treatment records from Tampa General Hospital and Texas General Hospital, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to an inadequate VA opinion and the need for a new examination. The examiner must consider the Veteran's in-service symptoms, as well as medical literature suggesting a correlation between pituitary disorders and sleep disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board found that the evidence was approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his active duty service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pneumonia has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request to continue with the appeal.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied because there is no clear evidence that the condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for CFS has been dismissed. The Board found that the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.,PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective from October 26, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been granted.,The matter of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for alopecia, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and kidney disability due to additional examinations being required.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities or medications, and thus remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial ratings for sleep apnea, headaches, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, CAD, and DDD were denied. The maximum rating of 50 percent was granted for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The issues include lung conditions, skin conditions, sleep apnea, sinus/nasal condition, bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, left knee condition, and bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all pending claims, including left hip condition, right hip condition, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and respiratory disability were not related to his service or any service-connected conditions.,Service connection for the Veteran's TDIU claim from October 7, 2016 to November 19, 2020 is granted.