Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities to include Achilles tendinitis, as well as recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea). The appeal regarding the recurrent sleep disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was aggravated by his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and thus grants service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA's duty to assist and inadequate reasoning for denying service connection. The Veteran is being asked to provide additional medical records, authorize release of private treatment records, and undergo a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis are all rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine if higher ratings can be assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is not related to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new theories of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD and obesity caused by other service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA medical opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional information and a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service, including an in-service IED attack while serving in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disorder, and a separate disability rating for right knee instability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea as there is insufficient evidence of record to support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service, particularly during active duty. The examiner needs to address the Veteran's lay statements and service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inadequate opinions in the previous examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from February 1, 2007 to February 22, 2010. Therefore, a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for OSA is granted. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, effective from February 11, 2016.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted at a 20 percent level prior to May 15, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior instructions, and further development is required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for alcoholism was dismissed. The Board also remanded several other issues, including PTSD with depressive disorder, surgical scars of the right ankle, status post fracture of right ankle with ORIF, tendonitis of the left knee, actinic keratosis, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD related to military service.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the onset likely during service aboard the U.S.S. Bataan.,Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss due to potential noise exposure in service.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded for left knee disability and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is etiologically related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.