Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for breathing problems, lumbago with protruding disc, lower back nerve damage, sleep apnea, and bilateral flat feet have been dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent rating prior to December 13, 2019, but denied any higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for IBS and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury and that it did not begin during service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a sinus condition with septal deviation and obstructive sleep apnea due to additional development being needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that her current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to her military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea was granted, but his claim for COPD remains pending.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, including its onset during service and its relation to his service-connected disabilities and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claims for tinea pedis/unguium, a skin condition of the face (previously claimed as burns to face), lumbosacral sprain, bilateral foot condition, bilateral ankle condition, and pelvic muscle strain are all remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations addressing current nature and severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is unrelated to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is related on a secondary basis to his service-connected anxiety disorder, kidney disease, and sleep apnea. The Board finds that the opinions of record do not adequately address this relationship and remands for new opinions from an appropriate VA medical examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The VA needs to provide addendum opinions addressing whether OSA is related to service, a service-connected disability, or obesity.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and vasectomy residuals due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no credible evidence showing that the Veteran's current left wrist condition, OSA, or vasectomy residuals are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including paranoid reaction.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 14, 2022. However, the evidence prior to that date suggests he was also unemployable due to his obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected chronic headache disorder, PTSD, and lumbosacral strain with arthritis are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address service connection claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and other psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's attorney argues that his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee with patellar spur is denied a rating greater than 10 percent. The claims for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that his current obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service.,Service connection for sinusitis is granted. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, which he contends was due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins while in Southwest Asia theater of operations, is granted under the PACT Act. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that his current condition is related to this exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing addendum opinions. The issues of increased rating for left knee TKA replacement, service connection for right hip disorder, OSA, migraine headaches, HTN, and right knee disorder are all being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically obesity.