Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected chronic sinusitis or if it had its onset during service. A new VA examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), both found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart arrhythmia, obstructive sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction are related to his active service. However, due to outstanding STRs from National Guard and Reserve service, as well as potential secondary service connection issues, the claims for these conditions must be remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability, defined by VA regulations. For the sleep disorder claim, additional development is needed to clarify all diagnosed conditions and determine their etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea and denied service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 25, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during service and granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection of sleep apnea has been granted. The Board also remanded the case for further development regarding his PTSD rating and for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA clinician to provide an opinion on whether it had its onset in service or is caused by his service-connected PTSD due to MST.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service and noting conflicting medical opinions regarding whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 10, 2018, due to service-connected depressive disorder. He also qualified for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainties regarding the Veteran's second period of active duty and the need for additional VA treatment records. The examiner is requested to determine if the obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service or is caused by a service-connected condition, including allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder, radiculopathy, and musculoskeletal disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board granted service connection for a cardiac disability and hypertension, both presumed due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied for colon cancer, lung disability, spinal cancer tumor, stroke residuals, kidney disability, sleep apnea, deep vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity, neuropathy, and left leg disability (including cellulitis).

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding exposure to smoke, toxins, and debris from a bomb dump explosion during active duty. The lung disorder claim is also inextricably intertwined with the sleep apnea claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to military service, particularly his deployment in Iraq. The examiner must provide an opinion on the onset of symptoms during or shortly after service and address known exposures such as burn pits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, low back disorder, and right ankle disorder. The additional medical evidence must be reviewed by the AOJ.