Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a secondary service connection based on his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to the current conditions.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened, but the issue of whether it is related to his PTSD or had its onset during service remains unresolved. The Board has ordered a new VA examination and/or addendum opinion to address these issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a current VA sleep apnea examination due to the passage of time and possible increase in disability. The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, but he asserts his condition has worsened.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea due to potential toxic exposure in Southwest Asia theater of operations. A new medical opinion is needed that considers total exposure and synergistic effects.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for a rating in excess of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee with instability, service connection for lumbar spine condition, left hip condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his period of active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries. The issues of increased ratings for other disabilities have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and inapplicability of certain theories of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal of entitlement to a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no appealable decision regarding this issue.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected acquired scoliosis of the thoracic spine was denied. Her claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, migraines, heart disease and high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the left arm and right arm disability claims, and denied all issues of increased rating or service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracic spine condition is denied. His petition to reopen the neck condition claim was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was previously denied a rating in excess of 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is now remanded.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus (including plantar fasciitis) remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine strain with IVDS, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, dermatitis, fatigue, anemia/immune disorder, and a nervous system disorder has been dismissed.,The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus had its inception during active service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, right knee disorder, and right hip disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions.,There are no indications of qualifying hearing loss or sleep apnea during service, and the persuasive weight of the evidence does not support a nexus between any of these conditions and military service.