Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in October 2011, and new evidence submitted since then has not been sufficient to reopen the claim. The claims for a rating more than 10 percent for patellofemoral pain, left knee; service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (also claimed as depression with anxiety); and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, hypertension, and nose breathing problems have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to lack of a VA medical opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran asserts that his sleep apnea started in service, was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, anxiety, and/or migraine, while his IBS symptoms began during service and have worsened since.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as the evidence supports that his current condition had its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, sleep apnea, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all considered.

The Board finds that additional development is required before the underlying claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. Specifically, VA outpatient treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and various musculoskeletal issues, did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran had a solid foundation for employment based on his education and work history, despite some limitations due to his disabilities.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and the medications used in treating his psychiatric disorder. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but denied service connection for dry eye syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been granted for the right index finger disability, but no higher rating is warranted due to lack of ankylosis or functional impairment equivalent to amputation. Service connection was not established for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA and its relationship to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related secondary conditions due to issues arising from the PACT Act development. The other service connection claims are also being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence to support a nexus between the condition and active duty. The claim was remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's OSA is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, claimed as secondary to PTSD, and TDIU due to inadequate opinions on causation and aggravation of OSA by PTSD. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange is not at issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including lay statements and medical literature. The case is being reviewed de novo as the previous decision was vacated. A remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, considering his service-connected PTSD and hypertension.