Sleep apnea decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities caused his obesity, which in turn aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his military service or secondary to his PTSD. The Veteran was exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during his deployment in Saudi Arabia.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. However, these claims are remanded as further medical opinions are needed to address their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service or caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.,Additional evidence received since the December 2003 rating decision includes lay statements and a September 2022 Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination report. The C&P examiner diagnosed the Veteran with alcohol use disorder in full sustained remission, stimulant use disorder (cocaine) in sustained remission, and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a lumbosacral spine disability, a right ankle disability, and bilateral knee disabilities due to the lack of evidence supporting an in-service stressor or injury related to these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and substance use disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no persuasive evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, and heart disorder due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional evidence and expert medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Left Carpal Tunnel Syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran contends that OSA is related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinions insufficient and requires an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current condition had its onset during his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding his lung disorders, including residuals of lung cancer and obstructive sleep apnea. The VA will obtain confirmation of service on board USS Austin if necessary, and request medical opinions to determine whether these conditions are related to active service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's morbid obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities, is a substantial factor in causing his current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The VA has found that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.,The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his sleep apnea to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The issues are inextricably intertwined with his claim of service connection for a psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep disorder as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 14, 2017 was denied as he had substantial and gainful employment. The Board remanded the case due to a potential issue with service connection for sleep apnea.