Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for upper and lower back disabilities, but remanded the claims for first rib disability, right shoulder disability, and neck disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected asthma.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis and spondylosis, is granted due to its manifestation within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine requires further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it began during her military service and is aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for AFib, asthma, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's disabilities are alleged to be related to his military service, but the VA examinations suggest they may be more likely related to tobacco use.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for an examination related to toxic- exposure risk activities (TERA). The Veteran's sleep apnea is being reviewed again with new evidence and expert opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms began during active service and continuing until he was treated with a CPAP machine.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches. The claims for left and right upper extremity demyelinating ulnar neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral foot conditions due to errors in obtaining the Veteran's National Guard records and providing adequate examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not show chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale, which would warrant a higher rating. The current level of severity (50%) has been equal to the pre-aggravation level throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability, lumbar spondylosis, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a psychiatric disorder have been granted. The claim for service connection for dyspnea with restrictive airway disease is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and because of the need for a new examination under the PACT Act. The Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is considered.

The Veteran's depression and insomnia are already compensated as part of his service-connected PTSD rating. The Board is remanding the claim for obstructive sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected PTSD.,Obstructive sleep apnea is being considered on a secondary basis due to its potential connection to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee pain has been received. The appeal is granted in part, but the issues regarding OSA as secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and evaluations.

The Veteran's service records confirm his service in Iraq, but the March 2020 VA examination found no diagnosis for hand tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia. The Veteran's daytime hypersomnolence is attributed to obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA medical examination and nexus opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA. The Veteran contends that his OSA was caused by sleep disturbance during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with depression is alleged to have caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn allegedly caused his claimed disabilities. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA opinion addressing these contentions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.