Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there was no diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to non-diagnosed symptoms and lack of evidence supporting a higher disability level.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for GERD with nutcracker esophagus is dismissed as moot, but the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction and lumbar spine disability remains remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction (secondary to his service-connected conditions) and lumbar spine disability remain pending and are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, OSA, and GERD due to the need for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's weight gain is also a factor being considered in these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma on a direct basis. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD caused her primary central sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for respiratory disorder (to include asthma) and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's statements about his symptoms are assumed credible, but further consideration is needed regarding the total potential exposure through military deployment(s) and the combined effect of toxic exposures.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea and traumatic brain injury are both granted, but the decision on TBI is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his left knee and psychiatric conditions, caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea.

The Board has found that remand is required to obtain an updated VA examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities due to worsening symptoms since her last examination in March 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder, including symptoms such as daytime hypersomnolence and morning headaches, is attributable to his service-connected migraine headaches. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD and allergic rhinitis, as well as the reopening of her sleep apnea claim, have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active-duty service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.,The Board also denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Board found that the weight of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's OSA was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the appeal of service connection claims for sleep apnea, a headache disorder, hypertension, a sinus disorder, and a respiratory disorder due to unclear opinions regarding their onset in service.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being obtained by VA, and the RO should review this additional evidence and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's back disorder is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient information provided in the previous VA examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issue is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that they are related to his in-service toxic exposure under the PACT Act. The VA will schedule the Veteran for TERA examinations to determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's asthma is presumed to be related to his exposure to fine particulate matter while serving in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Board finds that a remand is required for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea and arthritis.