Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative arthritis of left knee and lumbar spine, and osteoarthritis of bilateral hips.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and PTSD, as well as presumed in-service Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus were denied. The effective date of August 30, 2013, is proper as the claim was received within one year of separation from service.,From October 1, 2015, a rating of 50 percent for migraines is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for alexia, cervical disc disease, lumbar spine disorder, and sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a current diagnosis or etiology related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of all evidence, including the Veteran's testimony and his wife's observations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the current rating decision denying service connection for sleep apnea is not final and requires further development to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depression and anxious mood, or if it was aggravated by this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and whether in-service headaches were manifestations of the condition. The Veteran's sarcoidosis is already service-connected, but there is insufficient evidence linking his current obstructive sleep apnea to his active duty.

The appeals for service connection and increased rating for tension headaches are dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for lumbosacral strain is also dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his TDIU and DEA benefits, finding that the earliest eligible dates were November 4, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with strain residuals is being remanded due to the need for further evaluation by VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to potential errors in service connection, need for additional medical opinions, and further clarification of the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected rhinosinusitis is found to be a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, which has been granted as secondary to his service-connected condition. The claim of PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence and the absence of a diagnosis conforming to DSM-5 criteria. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown during or after service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea/hypopnea and did not grant an increased disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety and insomnia. The Veteran's current disabilities are already encompassed in the existing service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for eye disorders, chloracne, urticaria, and a sleep disorder. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), left knee disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and benign prostate hypertrophy due to inadequate examination opinions and failure to provide ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea in January 2021, and the Board has dismissed this case as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected PLMD symptoms have worsened, causing his OSA to be aggravated. Service connection for the aggravation of OSA is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition and left knee condition have been granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded, and the claim for service connection for acid reflux has also been remanded.,Service connection is established for a lower back condition and a left knee condition. However, additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and acid reflux are related to her service.