Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied. Service connection for GERD is granted, but the case is remanded to determine if OSA was caused or aggravated by PTSD and whether medications prescribed for PTSD aggravate OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling, and his sleep apnea remains at a 50 percent rating.,The Veteran seeks higher ratings for both conditions but the Board finds that neither condition warrants an increase in its current rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, right hip strain, and left hip disability manifested by pain are granted service connection.,The Veteran's pneumothorax is granted on an aggravation basis from a pre-existing condition during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a back disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and OSA are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of sleep apnea and suggests it may have started during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The Veteran needs to be examined by VA to determine if OSA was incurred in, caused by, or worsened by his hernia injury.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and remanded the issue of sleep apnea due to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA). The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, while a VA examination is needed to determine if his sleep apnea is related to his TERA.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with your claims as they are no longer valid.

For the appeal period December 19, 2015 to November 5, 2019, the Veteran's frost bite on tip of nose was manifested by pain and sensitivity. The Board found that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,For the appeal period beginning November 6, 2019, the Veteran's frost bite on tip of nose was still manifested by pain and sensitivity. Again, the Board found that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral foot condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for OSA, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's testimony and evidence suggest a possible link between his conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand multiple issues related to the Veteran's sleep apnea and tinnitus, including service connection claims. The AOJ will obtain all relevant VA treatment records and seek medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for diabetes mellitus, hyperparathyroidism/a thyroid disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension. Service connection is granted for hypertension based on service exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is dismissed as moot due to a prior grant of service connection. The claims for increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), high blood pressure (hypertension), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and headaches are all denied. The claim for service connection for flat foot-foot pain (also claimed as foot cramps/spasms of left foot) and knee conditions is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for neck disability, bilateral hand CTS, bilateral knee disabilities, and OSA. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to unclear etiology and need for further development, including potential exposure to hazardous chemicals while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

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

The Board has granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Sleep Apnea, finding that the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, is a proximate cause of these conditions.